It's All In How You Look At It

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."
Philippians 4:8 NKJV

Here in the US, we have entered Thanksgiving week. A time set aside to gather and give special thanks for the blessings in our lives. And yes, despite whatever challenges we may be facing at this moment, all of us have at least one thing to be thankful for. It's all in how we look at it. It's our choice.

We can choose to be grumpy because we have to get up early - or we can choose to be grateful we woke up and have a job to get to or a dog to walk or children to feed.

We can choose to be grumpy because we have to clean the kitchen - or we can choose to be grateful that we have food to prepare, and a way to prepare it, and water to clean up, and we live in a place that has a kitchen to clean.

"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT  There are opportunities all day long to find them - multiple choices to define and count our blessings. From the time we get up in the morning until we lay our head to rest at night. It's all in how you look at it. 

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for the many, many blessings You have provided for us. Open our eyes to see You and Your hand of provision. Allow us to see Your fingerprints in every area of our lives. Help us to choose thanksgiving over grumbling. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

The Way In

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 100 NKJV

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to slip into discontent? It takes little to no effort to be grumpy. Sometimes, all it takes is the alarm going off in the morning...  even though it's set because we are gainfully employed and not unemployed, existing from hand to mouth. It's a ploy of the enemy of our souls to get our focus on what we don't have rather than to give thanks for all that we do have. 

So, how do we combat that? 1st Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. I've made the distinction before (I may be splitting hairs), I'm not thankful FOR all things, but I can be thankful IN them, knowing that God has a purpose and a plan for everything that touches my life. Often, it is in the worst of times that we come to know God more intimately.     

In Psalm 16:11b, David tells us [speaking to the Lord], In Your presence is fullness of joy... We must come into His presence. The instruction in Psalm 100 is very clear. 

     Come before His presence with singing... 

     Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. 

     Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.    

A grateful heart is the way in to His presence. Choose to be thankful. Make the effort. It is worth it.

Prayer:

Father,

          In this sometimes dark and weary world, You light shines even brighter. Thank You because it helps us to keep our eyes on You. Help us to stay focused on whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, that's what we want to dwell on so we can enter into Your presence where there is Your promised fullness of joy. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Worth the Effort - reposted on request

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8 KJV

It's been said that anything worth having is worth fighting for. There are several different connotations to that, but the one I'd like to focus on is the one that relates to making the extra effort to obtain and keep something of value.

Did you ever notice how easy it is to be grumpy? It takes hardly any effort at all. For some, all they have to do is open their eyes in the morning and poof! Without even trying, they're grump rumps. And have you ever noticed how contagious that can be?!? God, have mercy on us!

Recently, I was talking with someone at work and trying to get her to see the positive side of a challenge. Her response was that she was positive that it was bad and nothing good would come of it. The sad thing is - with that attitude - she's right. Nothing good will come of it, because her outlook won't allow it.

I'm not talking about living in "la-la land" or being a pollyanna. I'm talking about focusing on the goodness of God in the midst of the ugly. Life's circumstances change on a daily basis - God is eternal. His faithfulness doesn't change because the world does or people do. His pure, unselfish, never-ending love doesn't end - even in a world that for the most part doesn't want it, let alone understand it.

Whatever we focus on becomes larger, no matter what it is. Look for the good in those around you. If what they're doing is annoying and we focus on it, we're tempted to squeeze and squeeze until their little eyeballs pop right outta their head. If we focus on the wonderful, it almost threatens to overwhelm us with the "wonderfulness" of whatever it is. If you don't believe me, pay attention to yourself the next day or so. Or listen to those around you. 

Let old hurts die. Let the past go. Forgive. Quit piling up offenses by holding on. It's not Scriptural.

And finally, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on THESE things.

It won't be easy, but it'll be worth the effort.

Prayer:

Father,
       Shine Your light on our words and expose any malingering malady of grumbling. Let our focus be on You and Your Words of Light and Life, and help us walk accordingly. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen