Can You See the Positive in the Negative?
by R.A. Giggie
Whenever I go through hard times, even if it seems it can’t get any worse, I try to look at the good things I have. Nine times out of ten, it helps and lifts my spirits up. For example, if I see rain instead of the sun, I thank God for the food I eat, the cozy home that keeps me warm and dry, the clothes on my back, and the comfy bed I sleep in. This said, it doesn’t mean I don’t have trials and tribulations.
I’m blessed beyond belief to have good health, even with osteoarthritis which isn’t as severe as that of others. My pain is minimal compared to some who take pain killers on a daily basis in order to function properly. Many people live with different pains and burdens, like emotional, mental, and spiritual.
I don’t know who said, “There’s always somebody worse off than you are,” but I believe it. If we look at the positive things in our lives, we’ll see the hope, the light at the end of the tunnel.
Years ago, our six-year-old son was viciously attacked by a jealous dog who wanted undivided attention from her master. As a result, Terrence now bears a huge scar in the shape of an upside down L on his cheek. He nearly lost his eye. The way the dog shook him like a rag doll, he could easily have been killed. Yes, it could have been worse. One day, in his late teens, he came home upset because people made fun of his scar. It broke my heart all over again that others would point the finger or give him “the look.” I reminded him that the owner had told us his dog was very possessive. His wife was pregnant when the attack took place, and the dog was put down. To this day, I believe had it not attacked Terrence, more than likely it would have attacked, and killed, their newborn infant.
There are so many other hurts in the world. That’s why when I write, I ask God to give me words of hope to reach people who are suffering, and those who are lost. I want to help them see things could be worse.
Stella’s Plea is about the disappearance of a three-year-old deaf child from the local playground and her mom’s struggle to find her. While her husband’s serving in the military overseas, Stella faces this all alone. Will she turn to God in her time of need?
Emma’s Prayer deals with a teen mom who put her son up for adoption but soon regrets it. Has he been placed with adoptive parents yet? Is it too late for her to get him back?
My novels are fiction, but the events they depict CAN happen in real life.
Have you been down lately? Can you see the light at the end of this road called LIFE? Look around you and remind yourself. It could be worse.
Renee-Ann Giggie’s desire to write came to her at a very young age. Her vivid imagination won her first place in her schools’ second grade composition contest. Later, the poetry she wrote as a teen found its way among the articles and columns of Le Progrès, the local newspaper where her mother worked as a reporter. The desire to write, however, remained nothing more than a hobby until just a few years ago when she wrote her first novel, Stella’s Plea, (2012) and her second, Emma’s Prayer, (2016). She is now working on her third, Charlie’s Plight.
She was also published in OakTara’s anthology, Falling in Love With You (October 2012), a compilation of true love stories.
She’s a member of, and very active in, several writing groups, and no stranger to Christian writers’ conferences where she thrives on learning everything she can about the craft, puts her newfound knowledge into practice, and then looks forward to the next conference.
She and her husband live in New Brunswick, Canada.
Connect with Renee-Ann online:
Facebook: facebook.com/ragiggie
Twitter: twitter.com/ragiggie
Website: reneeanngiggie.com
Renee-Ann, thanks for guest-posting today. I agree with you, it’s so important to use our words to share hope, and to look for the good among the bad. Not that we’re denying the bad, but focusing on it only makes things worse. Sometimes finding the good takes a lot of work, but it’s worth it! And always, some of the good is that God is with us and He loves us 🙂
Thanks for having me, Janet. I know we don’t all do things the same, but I love to share what works for me. Yes, focusing on the good is best, it’s like therapy. It takes our mind off the bad. Easier said than done sometimes, I know, but definitely worth trying. <
I very much enjoyed what you have shared. Sometimes it is hard to see the good, but I have had things happen also that later I can realize it was for the good.
Thanks for your comment, Ann. They say hindsight is 20/20. We only realize “later” that it was meant for good. Have a blessed day <
And sometimes even if it was simply a bad thing (or even neutral) we can see how God brought good out of it. He’s so creative about bringing good!
Totally. Jer 29:11 says God has a plan for us, a plan to prosper us. We know that when it comes from God, it is GOOD! 😀