One of the ideas that Rick Warren [Purpose Driven Life] mentioned when speaking of his wife’s cancer talked about life being a set of railroad tracks rather than ‘hills and valleys’.  I’ve been considering this lately.

You see, his idea is that life is comparable to a set of railroad tracks.  On one side you have the good ‘rail’ and on the other the bad ‘rail’.  You always have some of both in your life.  You can focus on all the bad stuff; you can focus on all the good stuff or as I would venture to elaborate, you can take them both in stride and have a well balanced ‘train’!!!

All too often it is very easy to dwell on all the bad stuff going on in life. I think any one of us at any given time could draw up quite a list of woes – if so inclined.  This might cause our train to ‘lean’ to one side.

I believe it is possible to be positive to an extreme (though I can’t think of any examples offhand) where the bad stuff is never really dealt with properly.  And again, our train is ‘leaning’.

I will be the first to admit that my little choo choo ain’t always ‘riding on both rails’ but I really like this analogy and am consciously trying to incorporate it into my way of thinking – an attempt to stay more balanced!

A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, But a just weight is His delight.  [Proverbs 11:1]

No matter how bad things are, no matter how overwhelming, we are certain to find something that is a blessing.

Personally, I am realizing that although the crappy stuff in life needs dealt with, it certainly does not have to control my day or my attitude!

Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.  [Nehemiah 8:10]

These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.  [John 15:11]