It could be worse

"It could be worse" is a piece of advice that is often used to help people adapt to difficulty.  Some poo-poo the "it could be worse" advice, saying that it downplays the suffering of a person.

I would agree that it can downplay the suffering of a person, and I don't want to do that, but often what we suffer with are first world problems.

There is an old saying, "I was sad because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet."  It is a classic "it could be worse" comment.

So I am going to tell you a story... The other day, I was in a hotel room in NJ and for some reason I thought, "I wonder what it would be like to be blind."  I determined to spend the next ten minutes with my eyes totally closed.

Trying to get out of the bathroom was a chore.  Wondering about where the bed was.  Would I trip over something.  Where is the desk chair.  Fumbling in the dark.  It was not fun.

I thought, oh my gosh.  I am so glad that I can see.  What ever is going on in my life, at least I can see.

The next time that you are feeling sorry for yourself for some issue or another, close your eyes and be blind for ten minutes.

It may just give you a new perspective.  Things could be worse.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.