Day 4: The Gratitude Challenge

The Gratitude Challenge calendar says:

Write a short message of thanks for some of the “negative” things in your life.


It is this time of the year when Robert and myself go for our annual medical and dental check-ups. This is a relatively new practice for us because we did not really grow up in households that immediately go to the doctors for every tiny little thing that goes wrong. Doctors are usually the last resort when there is extreme physical pain.

There is also the fact that my husband is a missionary and I am a freelance consultant for a web company. Which means we do not enjoy medical insurance benefits from our employers.

Last week we had to go through a series of physical tests that we knew we had to go through at this time of the year. While Robert feels that this is a little price to pay for a lifetime of good health, I was a little "shocked" on how we had to wait for 6 hours to get into the doctor's clinic and paid thousands of pesos for doctor's fees and tests.

 Needless to say, I found myself somewhat frustrated on how difficult and expensive it is to get decent health care here in the Philippines. With rent coming up and having to pay off our car, it was an "unwelcome" expense.

After much thought and prayer, God changed my perspective. He reminded me that I was truly wealthy through this beautiful proverb:

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
and the one who gets understanding,


for the gain from her is better than gain from silver
and her profit better than gold.


She is more precious than jewels,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.


Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.


Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.
—Proverbs 3:13-17


I was affirmed that going out and understanding my health and being completely aware of it is a an act of pure wisdom. Feeling poor over unexpected medical expenses is a faulty perspective.

And that's when I realized that poverty, after all, is merely a state of mind and not a state of finances.

I am grateful my husband works so hard to provide for us and pay for our health care.  I am grateful that we are never in lack.  In times like these (I know a lot of you know what I mean), me and my husband feel "so married" -- the growth, the closeness, the team spirit is priceless.

I am grateful that God gives us opportunities to depend on Him for miracles.  And because I have Him -- I am wealthy beyond financial measure.