Far too often, I put a
negative spin on things. The soup was good but
too salty. The church event was fun, but
there was no emphasis on evangelism. My husband bought me this beautiful gift, but he shouldn’t have spent that much
money. Are you like that?
I have a critical spirit,
but I want to butt it to the curb. Why do I look on the dark side? Maybe it
makes me feel smarter--only I have discerning
taste. Maybe it makes me feel more spiritual--only I see things from God’s viewpoint. For whatever reason, I seem to
walk on the rainy side of the street—without an umbrella.
But Paul says, “That’s not
right.” In fact in Philippians he says, “If anything is true, if anything is
noble, if anything is right, if anything is pure, if anything is lovely, if
anything is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such
things.” Hmmm. I’m going to have to learn to think outside the negativity box.
I have already memorized
that verse in Philippians, so that’s a good start. Now if I can only remind
myself to turn around when I head south.
If the soup is too salty,
I can remind myself that the carrots and peas and other veggies stoke my body
with vitamins and minerals. If the church event lacks an evangelistic emphasis,
I can supply one by asking someone at the event how they’re doing spiritually.
If my husband spends too much on me, I can just stand amazed that he loves me--wrinkles
and all!
Perhaps we also have
negative mindsets about who we are. As a teenager a friend said my legs were my
redeeming feature. I know she meant well and was trying to say I had “good”
legs. (At least they were long.) But to me her comment meant something was wrong
with the rest of me.
When I feel that my teeth
are not white enough or my nose is too bumpy, I am going to remind myself of
another verse: “I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm
139:14). As they say, “God don’t make no junk.” I may see pimples but God sees
perfection.
When I feel overwhelmed by
life’s situations and want to give up hope that things will ever get better, I
can remind myself that God is in control by remembering “All things work
together for good to them that love God . . . ." (Romans 8:28).
When I beat myself up for
failing to stick to my diet or for grumbling at my hubby, I can remind myself
that “God gives us power, love and self discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7). I do not
need to cave to every impulse or emotion; the situation gives me an opportunity
to grow in grace.
Maybe I can’t remember
just the right Bible verse when I get myself in a wrong situation, but I can
remember to: Touch the pause button and take a deep breath. Remind myself that
I am God’s child, fearfully and wonderfully made. Think about something positive
hidden within the negative. And thank God that he walks with me. That turns any
bad news into good news! No buts about it!
2 comments:
Thhank you for sharing this
Thanks for letting me know you appreciated my post. And I clicked on your website. You are quite the photographer. Hope you are enjoying great success in your field.
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