Today I celebrate my 27th Wedding Anniversary with my husband. We have been very blessed already in our life together with six amazing children, a fantastic son-in-law and a beautiful little granddaughter; plus an amazing church family and too many other blessings to fit in this blog.

However one thing I have learnt over 27 years of marriage is to always look on the bright side. This may sound obvious, but for me it did not come naturally. I am a details person and if left to my own devices I have been known to fixate on problems, and to worry far too much for my own good.

But it’s the ability to look on the bright side, and to realise that the things I’m stressing over I probably won’t even remember in 20 years time that has been one of my greatest lessons. Most things are as Paul says in the bible are momentary concerns and if we choose to look on the bright side; to look for the positives, on what we have learnt through our difficulties, and how we can do better next time that will give us strength and understanding to keep growing stronger and stronger as the years go by. Looking on the bright side also means recognising God’s hand upon our situations, and then searching for His strategy to bring us out out the other side of any trouble.

We will no doubt be tougher from gaining a few bumps and bruises, but we will also gain some faith muscles to show for our journey.

Today, choose to look on the bright side; to look for the positives and even the smallest sliver of light that you can then head towards. God is there, and He always has a way through. He promises strength and comfort for the journey, better things ahead and a  strategy to walk you out of darkness and into the light.

“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (2 Corinthians 4:17)

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2)

Prayer: Lord thank you that anything I may be facing doesn’t have to last, and that you have a way through. Help me to look on the bright side today; to look for your hand and presence in my situation and for your strategy to overcome whatever situation I may be facing as I grow stronger in you every day. In Jesus name Amen.