Even Though You Are In The Gutter, Look Up At The Stars

"We are all lying in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." Oscar Wilde

 Today maybe you are, as the quote above says, "lying in the gutter." There is just so much junk piled up around around you, it just seems to continue growing, and it seems as though there is no way to get out of it. And maybe you are in your own gutter today, now, I don't know what it may be composed of, but you do. So with that in mind, can I ask you a question? Are you too busy focusing on the garbage that is in the gutter around you that you aren't spending any time looking up at the stars?

 See, what so many people don't realize is that so much of our discouragement comes from where we are putting our focus. We set ourselves up for failure by focusing on all of the bad stuff that is going on around us, rather than spending time focusing on the blessings we have amidst the struggle. 

 Take this gutter for an example. You are there amidst all of your garbage; all of your worries, your stresses, your obstacles, and your challenges. Now, at the moment you are unable to get out of the gutter, so you have two choices; you can spend your time digging through your garbage and staring at it, causing yourself to grow more and more negative towards this situation, or you can look up, away from all of the garbage, and notice the stars above you. Which choice would you choose? See, most of us, not even knowing we do so, choose the first option. We spend so much time dwelling on the negative things in our life, which in turn, not only makes us more negative, but seems to make the situation worse. But what we forget is that we have a different option! We don't have to be stuck in this pit of negativity, but if we would change our focus and notice the stars; the beautiful blessings that God has placed in your life, that is when you are not only going to feel better, but you are going to see that pile of garbage around you grow smaller and smaller. Yes, we may still be stuck in the gutter, but when you switch you start focusing on those blessings, my friend, you are going to feel a new peace and encouragement that only God can provide.

 So today, just change your focus, and, even though you may be stuck in the gutter, look up at the stars.