Your Daily Bread

YOUR Daily Bread Shine your light this Advent season

By Terry Frisk

I believe that everyone would agree that 2020 has been a difficult year. Between the pandemic, civil unrest, politics, and natural disasters, it can be hard to find things to be thankful for. But, as Christians, we must lead the way. In the book of Matthew, Jesus said:

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

Through our faith in God, we can overcome the adversity and brighten this world for others. Here are some ways you can bring light to your life and let it shine on others:

• Nurture your spiritual self – Turn to God through prayer to release your worries and negative feelings. Cast- Terry Frisk ing off your negative emotions will improve your outlook and increase joy in your life. This will, in turn, bring joy to others.

• Be thankful – “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Even in adversity, focus on what you are thankful for in your life. The resulting positive attitude will lift not only your spirits, but also the spirits of others.

• Express gratitude – Take time to express gratitude to those around you. Say thank you to those who serve you, whether it is someone at work, a grocery store, or a restaurant. Send a thank you note to someone who has helped you. Expressing gratitude goes a long way toward brightening someone else’s day.

• Offer acts of kindness – Extend a helping hand to others. I do a lot of home improvement projects, which means making many trips to the local home improvement store. Often, there is someone in the parking lot struggling to load something in their vehicle. I have met a lot of people by just simply lending a hand.

• Share your abundance – God has blessed you with an abundance. We often think of abundance in terms of material wealth. But true abundance comes from blessings of love, compassion, energy, talents, skills, creativity, and any other spiritual blessings we possess. Recognize how you have been abundantly blessed and share it freely to benefit others.

Thanksgiving and Advent celebrations will likely be different this year for most of us. However, you can help others enjoy this time despite the circumstances through letting your light shine for others. You will also be blessed for your good works. Have a joyous Christmas and many blessings in the new year!

Terry Frisk is a partner in the firm B2B CFO, providing financial advisory services to small businesses. He also counsels individuals on personal financial matters through the Cathedral of the Rockies Budget Counseling ministry. He may be contacted through e-mail at terry_frisk@msn.com.