Keeping it positive when there is so much crud in the world

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lizaanne

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I’ve been fighting a bit of depression lately. I read a lot of news to keep on top of things, and this morning I realized I just need to step away from it for awhile I think. Which for me is easier said than done - I’m a bit of a news junkie. But when I look at the list of things weighing on my mind, I’m just having a hard time disconnecting…
  • GM’s bankruptcy - this is very personally important to me
  • The murder of Tiller
  • Fr. Cutie leaving the Church
  • The Air France plane crash
  • Obama stuff in general
  • The economy and how it’s impacting my family
  • North Korea
  • Fake priest scandal at a parish we frequent
  • Step father refusing chemo after cancer surgery
  • Mother won’t quit smoking and is starting to have breathing problems
  • Step sister and husband trying to sell their house in the worst economy in our life time - with a little one and a new baby
  • Step uncle looses his job after a lifetime as a senior automotive engineer
  • Father of my ex’s two step sons commits suicide over the economy, and ex’s father is not doing well after bypass surgery last year
Ugh. I could list more but it’s just too depressing.
It was all I could do to get out of bed yesterday, and I cried at Mass over all this nastiness. 😦

Please pray for each other - I’m sure that nearly everyone on here has similar lists we carry around with us every day.

I hope and pray I’ll get over this slump soon and find a way to focus on the positive and goodness in my life, there really is so much I am grateful for and so very blessed. It’s just hard to see the light sometimes when there is so much darkness around.

Anyway - thanks for letting me vent a bit. 😦

~Liza
 
I can’t be positive anymore. I 'm suffering from a prolonged infection that’s scared me and ruined my summer. I’m in too much pain to really give a good answer but If anyone can be positive God Bless them.
 
Rejoice!

For you have been exceedingly blessed! In the sorrow, through the pain, in the darkness, glorify GOd, and bear true witness of His unending Love!

In situations such as yours is our faith show, evangilized to the world!

Trust in God’s providence, trustin His Love. Trust especially that all things work for the good of those who serve Him.

Of what merit it is it to be glad when times are good? Of what worth are smiles in times of plenty? Of laughter at a feast?

None!

So stand in defiance of Hell! Laugh at death! Smile in the face of adversity!
 
It is very hard to not get gloomy when you think of all your concerns, but one thing I do is sometimes just have a “thank you” day. I don’t ask God to answer any prayers and I don’t beat up on myself to think positive and then feel I am disappointing God by not trusting him. I just kind of coast along on these days and it refreshes me.

Also, try to realize there is so much that you can nothing about. So I say to myself when I am getting anxious…“What can you do about this TODAY?” and if the answer is nothing, I try to just put it aside until there is an action I can take.

Hope this helps!
 
tierney said:
It is very hard to not get gloomy when you think of all your concerns, but one thing I do is sometimes just have a “thank you” day. I don’t ask God to answer any prayers and I don’t beat up on myself to think positive and then feel I am disappointing God by not trusting him. I just kind of coast along on these days and it refreshes me.

Also, try to realize there is so much that you can nothing about. So I say to myself when I am getting anxious…“What can you do about this TODAY?” and if the answer is nothing, I try to just put it aside until there is an action I can take.

Hope this helps!
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This helps immensely tierney - I like the idea of a “thank you day”. I think that I will start tomorrow with that - it will very much be a good day tomorrow for starting anew in some ways for me.

I received a PM which was also about controlling things I can’t control. I am such a control freak that it does indeed get me in trouble sometimes. I really need to learn the “let go and let God” routine, something I’m not always good at. :o

Thank you!

~Liza
 
The world is a broken, corrupt and often evil place. But there is so much that can and should be celebrated and loved in it, not because it is the world, but because love is needed. And Jesus Christ has conquered the world and redeemed us, her broken children.

If today you have food in your stomach, a roof over your head, and can let the sun shine on your face, you are indeed blessed and should give thanks. May the Lord provide what we need.

Our problems may be substantial and difficult but many will pass. GM’s bankruptcy will mean positive things in the long-run, although for employees, investors, suppliers (my company included) and distributors, it will be a tough go for a while. When I used to work at GM, I wondered why we weren’t yet talking bankruptcy - and I worked in commercial credit where I could see the untenable books of our distributors. Keep faith and keep vigilant for the doors that open. I remember a time when I had $10 a week for food but somehow still made too much for food stamps. Lots of beans and barley and canned corn - a vile but nutritious mix that let me survive. May Christ lead us to true abundance.

I’m sorry to hear about all the illnesses - these truly make for difficult times as those of us who watch our loved ones suffer feel so helpless. My wonderful sweet Nana is slowly succumbing to heart failure (after a decade of suffering from COPD), and my grandfatherly and endearing neighbor has cardiac disease. I hate to think of being without them, but I at least have now to treasure them. May Christ heal us all in body, mind and spirit.

It is terrible to hear of the loss of innocent lives - those poor souls on the Air France flight and the murders in Chicago. May Christ have mercy on us in our final hour.

Then I look on my 20-day-old daughter’s face - though she has yet learned to smile, when her eyes are upon me there is nothing that can shatter my joy. Christ has loved us so much to give us this precious and beautiful little person, and I think of the children and their generation, what good and wonders they can bring.

So I only choose to remain optimistic. The world is full of crud, but we are the light and the salt and it is ours to restore, to repair and to celebrate. What a happy task our Master has placed before us!

And I’m one of those dark, brooding sorts that’s really happy when it rains… still I love the Light of God.
 
You admit you are a news junkie… well you have to cut back if it will be affecting you like this.

Remember that God is bigger than all the bad news in the world. Jesus has overcome the world… Believe!!! have faith!!! if it is hard for you to believe, then in humble prayer ask God for faith and he will grant it for you.

*“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4:7-9 *

This is important to remember when we overwhelm ourselves with worldly matters…
Become a scripture junkie… become a Catholic News Junkie… become a spiritual book reading junkie…

I too like to keep abreast to what goes on in the world but I have to keep it balanced with good and positive things… Right now I’m down because of many things so now is the time to pray till you are blue in the face!! Remember what Jesus said… repent and believe the good news!!!
 
Awww…sorry you have so much on your plate, Liza. :hug1: I get overwhelmed a lot too–especially with this baby due to arrive so soon. I’ll be quitting my job and I get scared about losing that stability and trading it for something wonderful but also something I’m going to have way less control over…

It’s not just you–the news has had a lot of scary things in the last couple weeks. 😦

You’re in my prayers! :hug1:
 
Dtmccameron said:
Rejoice!

For you have been exceedingly blessed! In the sorrow, through the pain, in the darkness, glorify GOd, and bear true witness of His unending Love!

In situations such as yours is our faith show, evangilized to the world!

Trust in God’s providence, trustin His Love. Trust especially that all things work for the good of those who serve Him.

Of what merit it is it to be glad when times are good? Of what worth are smiles in times of plenty? Of laughter at a feast?

None!

So stand in defiance of Hell! Laugh at death! Smile in the face of adversity!
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I can’t thank you enough for this post, today. I think I need to read more of this daily, to get my perspective back in tact. You’re a blessing, an angel to have posted this today. Thank you.
 
*Liza, I’m sorry you’re going through a tough time, I have been feeling downtrodden also. I am reminded as one of the posters here says…‘rejoice in the midst of adversity.’ That is a hard pill to swallow sometimes, no? I think it’s easy to start spiraling downward, when we mentally start listing all the negatives. Just when you begin that, start listing the positives. Let’s pray for one another. *
 
I was like you once until i came to realise that no matter what was happening in this world it was beyond my control. God tells us to trust in him and this is what i do. When i worry or things seem to get on top of me I just pray and ask God to help me over come it. But remember there is SO much good in the world but it’s only the bad stuff that hits the headlines.God bless
 
I’m so glad my comments helped you.
Another thing that helps when I am so worried about my loved ones and their struggles…I realized that God has plans for them that I am not a part of in any way! What a shock since I always feel I am responsible for EVERYTHING! That was freeing for me. It applies in other areas of concern also…it’s not all about me!

Also the phrase “lean not on your own understandings” from the scripture that says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not in to your own understandings. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.”

I repeat this over and over, especially in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep from worrying.
 
Dtmccameron said:
Rejoice!

For you have been exceedingly blessed! In the sorrow, through the pain, in the darkness, glorify GOd, and bear true witness of His unending Love!

In situations such as yours is our faith show, evangilized to the world!

Trust in God’s providence, trustin His Love. Trust especially that all things work for the good of those who serve Him.

Of what merit it is it to be glad when times are good? Of what worth are smiles in times of plenty? Of laughter at a feast?

None!

So stand in defiance of Hell! Laugh at death! Smile in the face of adversity!
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I love this post! Thank you, Dtmccameron!

:harp:

Liza,

I want to share this prayer which helped me a great deal last year, which was one of the hardest years of my life:

Dear God,

I want to thank you.

I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards; I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better; I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me; I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears; I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves; I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job; I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief; I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed; I am thanking you right now.

I am thanking you right now. I am thanking you because I am alive. I am thanking you because I made it through the day’s difficulties. I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.

I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.

I am thanking you because YOU haven’t given up on me.

I do not know who the author is, but isn’t it great? 🙂

I added another line (in my own personal copy) for something that was very important to me, and you might want to do the same … add a line or two for your own specific pains & needs.

I hope this will be of help to you and others, as it was to me. :hug1:
 
I guess I just believe in a kind of spiritual reverse entropy. Entropy means that every action, in the physical world, creates more disorder than order, but I also believe that every action, in the spiritual world, creates more good than evil. Our physical universe tends towards increased disorder, but our spiritual universe tends towards greater good. Or, in other words, every cloud has its silver lining. And, in another way of saying it, God can use anything for the greater good.

I do, however, feel like my life is approaching a climax . . . if things don’t get better soon, they could get very scary indeed, financially. If they do get better, it will all be worth it . . . but I’m so worried that we’re not near the end of the story, but just at the beginning - with years of troubles yet to come. God is the author of my story, though, and though my heart quails to think He might have a much longer journey before our family knows financial peace again, I am willing to leave it in His hands, and pray for contentment with His Will for us.

After all, even if we do end up in real poverty - I know the good we shall gain there will outweigh the harm. God will not let us fall, we are in His hands.
 
The world can be a miserable place. The good news is that it is only temporary. If we dwell on the miserable issues of the world, we will only experience the storms of life. Instead we must focus on the good things of the world, the rainbow, which will lead us to the pot of gold at the end, heaven. Remember this and things won’t be as hard to bear.
 
Hand it off to the Lord in prayer–He’ll never give you a burden that’s too heavy to carry. He did all the heavy lifting on the way to Calvary already.

As far as news goes, the world really isn’t getting worse, we just get to hear about it more and more quickly.

JB
 
Andrea22 said:
You admit you are a news junkie… well you have to cut back if it will be affecting you like this.
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You are so right. I took the day off today, only worked a little bit, and stayed away from the news for most of the day. I only looked at a little GM news to find a dealership closing list, coudln’t find it immediately, so stopped looking. I will be very busy at work tomorrow so that will be a very good thing for me. Thanks Andrea! 🙂
kevinsgirl said:
It’s not just you–the news has had a lot of scary things in the last couple weeks.

You’re in my prayers! :hug1:
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Thanks so much for your prayers! I have to say that reading through everyone’s wonderful responses, I was indeed reminded of how good I really do have it. And I’m not down about my life and how crummy it is, I realize every day how incredibly blessed I am to be working, to have a good job, a lovely house, a new car, a loving husband and family. I have just been letting the outside stuff get to me too much lately.
whatevergirl said:
*Liza, I’m sorry you’re going through a tough time, I have been feeling downtrodden also. I am reminded as one of the posters here says…‘rejoice in the midst of adversity.’ That is a hard pill to swallow sometimes, no? I think it’s easy to start spiraling downward, when we mentally start listing all the negatives. Just when you begin that, start listing the positives. Let’s pray for one another. *
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It is extremely hard to rejoice for me at times. I feel overwhelmed by what’s happening in the world, my responsibilities at home and at work, and an uncertain future in our area of the country. Yes indeed - we must always pray for one another. 🙂
tierney said:
Also the phrase “lean not on your own understandings” from the scripture that says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not in to your own understandings. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.”

I repeat this over and over, especially in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep from worrying.
Click to expand...
You know - I used to have this on my office wall before I moved locations! I need to find that and put it back up. Thank you for the reminder! 👍
Morwenna said:
Liza,

I want to share this prayer which helped me a great deal last year, which was one of the hardest years of my life:
:hug1:
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This really is a truly lovely prayer - thank you so much for sharing it with me!

I had written a chaplet of thanksgiving a few years ago that I would pray using my rosary. I always felt that most prayers were always petitioning God for something, and not enough thanking going on. So I wrote my own chaplet to thank God for the goodness and grace in my life. Hmmmmm - guess I need to find that and start praying it again. :o
Jan_Bolbot said:
As far as news goes, the world really isn’t getting worse, we just get to hear about it more and more quickly.

JB
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You know - this is so very true it made me laugh! Before the internet I would watch hours of news on the tv - honestly, I would watch three hours of news every night when I got home, flipping between networks to get as much as I could. NOW it’s even worse!! I have instant access to massive amounts of news when ever I want it.

Geeze - I sound like an addict!! 😊 In some ways I guess I am.

Today was good staying away from it - I did not turn on the tv, only looked at the news once. If felt good to be disconnected for awhile. Tomorrow and Thursday I’ll be in the office and will be busy - that will be good for me I think.

Thank you so much to all of you - I truly appreciate all your prayers and help. It really has helped me get my head straight a bit. My DH, while a wonderful and loving man, is not compassionate and does not know how to deal with me when I get like this. So thank you for filling that little void for me. I just need a hug I guess, and a virtual hug is better than none. 😃

~Liza
 
Just remember, no matter how bad things may seem, you can always make the world around you just a little bit better.

Say something nice to a loved one; do a friend a favor; hold a door open for someone; compliment a stranger; or one of my favorites, go to the Prayer Intentions forum and say a few Hail Marys.

You never know whether your kind word or deed will be the difference between someone else’s hope or despair. How many times has each of us longed just to hear a single word of love or encouragement? Be that love and encouragement for others.

Will that solve the world’s problems? No, but it’s a start. And it can’t hurt.
 
Lizaane,

:console: I just want to second what others have already said: Being grateful has been my secret to happiness. I’ve been through some truly awful times (as most of us have, at one time or another), times when I have forgotten to be grateful, and those were my darkest days. I find that when I frequently thank God for my blessings (and there are ALWAYS blessings, no matter how dark the day), I simply cannot remain miserable and in despair. It’s truly been one of the greatest gifts in my life—gratitude. And yes, there are days when I don’t FEEL it, but I still say it and pray it, and before I know it, I feel it again.

I also think that reaching out to others and giving a helping hand whenever possible is one of the other great secrets to happiness. It’s pretty hard to remain in my own pity party when I realize how much more others are suffering and can use my help.

I made a resolution YEARS ago that if anything online was disturbing my inner sense of peace, I would leave it behind immediately. I confess I do not always follow my own resolution, but I TRY 🙂 If the news is getting you down, press the X in the upper right hand corner of your screen…and POOF, it’s gone. If you are health enough to exercise, go take a walk instead. The endorphins brought on by exercise can truly help get you out of a funk.

God bless.
 
lovemysix said:
The endorphins brought on by exercise can truly help get you out of a funk.

God bless.
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Oh - if this isn’t one of my biggest issues!!! I really REALLY need to exercise. I’ve become a work from home person except for one day a week and now I’m not even walking back and forth to an office every day. 😦 I know this is an issue for me, motivation is something I have always had major problems with.

~Liza
 
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