Trauma can reshape our minds, bodies, and souls into believing that there isn't much to celebrate. All trauma, medical, emotional, housing insecurity, poverty, food insecurity, loss of a loved one, physical, financial, violence, sexual, spiritual and/or relational. The impact of trauma can be long term. A person can experience trauma as a child and still see the impact of it 30, 40, 50 years down the line. But we believe God can heal the brain and the body from the impact of trauma. So we celebrate!
One of the ways that trauma affects people is to water life down. Simply put, it can create this domino like experience in which people find very little reasons or no reason to smile, play, laugh, and celebrate in general. Today, as an act of courageous resistance to trauma I am going to celebrate and I want to share a bunch of reasons to celebrate. I hope you see something on this list (see below) that resonates with you and you decide to celebrate God for giving you a reason to party too.Â
Partying doesn't have to be a big bash.  Your party might be to simply smile today. Your party could be to drink all your water today, to forgive, to throw a  30 second dance party, to go outside to soak up some Vitamin D. However, you choose to celebrate our hope is that it would be a celebration that is healthy, positive, responsible, and intentional!
Let's Celebrate!
You woke up this morning
You can read this post
The sun is shining
It's raining
God loves you so much
You are part of a communityÂ
Someone called to check on you in the last 30 days
You can move
You can still dream
Your body regardless of ability is a temple
You can Rise!
You called a hotline for support
You took your meds
It's July
You have a place to live
You're not ashamed
You are willing to try again
You know stuff
You won
You are on your way to being debt free
There is at least 1 person in your life that cares about you
You have access to mental health therapy
You got a promotion
You purchased a home
Survived an encounter with law enforcement
You got a new car
You wrote a new book, poem, blog post
You are going back to school
You graduated
You are a writer
You're fasting
You are still a dreamer
You walked away
You survived
God is your strength
God provides
God listens to you
God healed you
God reconciled you
You met someone kind
You still have at least one tooth in your mouth
You survived homelessness
You survived an abusive relationship
You took a leap of faith
You decided not to give up
You experience power when you pray
You still have faith in God
You believe God can
You refuse to hate
You have a job
You're getting married this month
It's your birthday
You want to be better
You desire to live free
You want God to make you whole
You exercised
You ate clean(er)
You are a good active listener
This day is almost over
Trauma didn't kill you
You are stronger
You are wiser
You love the Lord
You desire to tell others about Jesus
Jesus saved you
You are on the road to wellness
You are healthy
You know how to be humble
You survived incarceration
You are still learning
You lost weight
You gained weight
You're an anomaly
You are willing to wait
You started a business
You changed for the best
You got married
You are surviving the death of a child
You are still hopeful
You decided to follow God
You are an advocate
You stand up against injustice
You do more than required
You are content
You are still willing to love
You tithe
You volunteer for an under-resourced community
You serve others
You gave birth to people
You donate goods
You share your resources with those that don't have much
You still speak to people as you pass them by on the street
You trust GodÂ
You speak more than one language
You're an immigrant
You let go & let God
You got up after falling down
You didn't stop
You're a refugee
You are resisting fear
You study & live out your bible to stay ready for the return of Christ
You repent
You are trying to live like Christ
You like to encourage others
You allowed someone to support and/or love you!
Wow, I could literally go on and on. There are so many reasons to celebrate.Â
Today, is a good day to celebrate God for something. Don't let the enemy, naysayers, or people who are unwilling to celebrate deter you! The truth is Ecclesiastes 3 teaches us that there is a time and place for everything!
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