Focusing in on What's Important Leaves More Room for Expanding Your Relationships

I have been working on really focusing in on what is important and letting go of what doesn't matter. It reminds me of the book that came out years ago titled "Don't Sweat The Small Stuff". We can spend so much time honing in on little things that the big picture doesn't become clear to us. We cloud up our relationships with small grievances and annoyances instead of being thankful for our great blessings.

I have developed a bad habit of looking for something bad to happen. The problem with that is that if you are looking for something bad to happen, it will. But a deeply ingrained habit can hang on and not let you go. Instead, I am working on developing a new habit; one where I am grateful for what I have versus what I could have.

For example, my husband is a very committed, devoted and strong person. Sometimes he can be an extreme workaholic; but I am learning that this is his way of showing his love and caring for his family by providing the best and most that he can. He is doing what he feels is the best thing for his family; you can hardly fault a man for being the provider.

Sometimes I am quite vocal about my need for more time with him. Instead of honoring his need to provide, I let my own need for company get the best of me.

What am I complaining about anyway? My husband has been blessed with a great job that keeps him working and earning to support our family. He hasn't had to stress out about being laid off in these tough financial times and is, in fact, advancing instead of stagnating.

What's really important here is that I and my family are loved and cared for and supported by my husband. The small stuff is getting around the differences we have about how to show love. Love to me is sometimes equated with time, not effort. Whereas my husband shows his love by working hard and then working harder.

It is important to take ourselves and our own desires and thoughts out of the equation and look at an issue from the other point of view. With a bit of communication and understanding, we can allow the little things to roll off of us and get the bigger picture.

"For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control." 2 Timothy 1:7

Resources
Day 82 - A Modern Woman Decides To Get Vulnerable For Her Spiritual Growth