Focus on the Gains for Change...

You hear sayings all the time about how sometimes something happens to you in life and it doesn’t make sense right away but it will someday, or how God always has a plan, and to have faith. I would have to say that more often than not - in my life - this proves to be true. Although, it is often further down the road then I prefer before I can finally make sense of it all. Until now, anyhow... I feel like it was only a short amount of time that I questioned why a series of events had to occur in my life... I questioned why these things were happening, and what could possibly be the reason behind them. Nothing made sense, everything seemed wrong.
 If anyone asked me four weeks ago where I would be at today, I would never have expected to give them the answer that I can stand today and give. Hell, I don’t even think I would have thought it possible to stand where I stand today, even two weeks ago. However, over the last couple of weeks my entire mindset has shifted tenfold. I feel that with each day passing, I am more aware of the situation God placed me in, the whys, and what is to come. I feel that almost daily I have some insightful thoughts, an epiphany, a new way of thinking or seeing, a clearer understanding, and a more peaceful mind. It is amazing how something can initially seem so bad, but so quickly be seen for all the good that comes from it. 
It is crazy to think that one day I can be sad and angry that something in my life is happening, only to find myself in a place of gratitude shortly thereafter. Life has a funny way of working itself out, that is most certain. I recently wrote a blog on perspective, and I really think that this is what it all comes down to. I feel that once I was able to see things from a different perspective, it opened up a mental door in my mind to see everything else differently, and to  be more open to seeing the good to come.

This makes me think of church Sunday. Pastor Kevin was talking about change. He talked about how change has to occur through a mental shift. One thing through the whole service that really stood out to me though was when he expressed that when most people are going to attempt to change something they look at what they are loosing instead of focusing on the gains. In context, he gave an example of if someone was going to diet - they focus on everything they can no longer have, or what is being taken away from them, rather then focusing on what God is giving them as gain - such as their health and a more abundant life that God planned. 
This concept also applies to my thoughts up above... And many other things in life. If someone is going through a breakup or experiences loss, it is very easy to only focus on what is being lost, as in the relationship, the other person, and sometimes even the feelings of a part of our 'self' that is lost when the ‘us’ is broken. However, it is easier to begin healing in the heart when the mind can shift into a focus that is more positive, such as the gains. See, there are always gains, we just can’t always see the good from a situation, or the gifts God wants to give us from our hardship until we are ready...by shifting our perspective. 
I believe that once we are open to receiving these gifts, God is ready to give them to us. I also believe, especially now through this experience, that focusing on these gifts, the gains, and the positives, it makes going through the experience so much easier. This then allows us to move forward, to grow, and to embark on the next journey life has in store for us as a stronger, healthier, and happier person.