Coping With Good Fortune

I expect that people have a hard time coping with so called misfortune, usually known as trials and tribulations in the average pulpit sermon. I expect that people have to work through tough issues of loss, grief, or pain.

But how do I cope with good fortune? How do I work through gain, joy, and pleasure? I feel like blessing after blessing has come to me in such rapid succession, in such unexpected ways, with such little effort, that something could be askew. That at any moment the bottom might (and should based on odds) fall out. I find myself asking: How can my life be so right right now? How long will this last?

My decision is to take every moment as it is.  The more time I spend questioning the circumstances of my life, good or bad, the less time I spend living and experiencing life with all of my being. And most importantly, the more time I spend questioning my circumstances, the less time I spend using my circumstances to fullfull my purpose. Even if a mudslide of misfortune overtook my life right now, I would have to recognize the various uses for mud, how to transform it from JUST MUD  to MY PIECE OF THE EARTH.

I believe fear of good fortune or blessings is a fear of the responsibility that comes with that. If life gives me lemonade, it is my duty to put ice in it and pour glasses for all my neighbors so that those who are given lemons can have a customer base.

Rather than viewing my good fortune as: I've got it too easy - I must see my blessings and good fortune as a challenge. The better my fortune, the tougher my challenge, the more is expected from  me. It's a daunting thought considering just how blessed I am. But I must remember that in times of good fortune, I will never be given more than I can bear.