Friday, September 19, 2014

Look Past The Negative

Good Morning!! We live in a culture of complaining,...and we're continually looking for ways to get things off our chests. Some of us will whine for as long as someone will listen. Talk shows are flooded with callers eager to share their displeasure about something. Some complaining is harmless,...it can even be therapeutic. However, in the long run, it causes impatience, which reinforces negative attitudes,...and can lead to a self-focused life. We all go through difficult times, but God doesn't want us to stay focus on the negative. He knows that chronic complaining will never help us, and will ultimately become a bigger source of pain.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable,...if anything is excellent or praiseworthy,...think about such things.Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Instead, God calls us to rejoice! To focus our minds on the good, the positive, the praiseworthy. To give thanks in all circumstances and to focus on His love. Joseph never complained when he was betrayed by his brothers, put into slavery and imprisoned. The apostle Paul maintained a good attitude when he was beaten and imprisoned. Both men had an intimate relationship with God,...and wanted more than anything to please Him. The next time you start to complain,...take a deep breath and refocus on the goodness of God.

Negative thinking can block us from remembering God's goodness,...and from building or allowing, a more intimate relationship with Him.

Have Mercy Father, Father, sometimes we so easily get sidetracked and focus on the worst, in of our situations, in others and in ourselves. Please forgive us, and help us to refocus on the best of whatever is around us. And most of all, help us to focus on Your love and grace, and on Jesus,...our Savior. Amen.
"Most of us get stuck spiritually because we keep doing the same thing, while expecting different results."

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