October 30, 2013
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Positively Thankful
Negativity really "irks my tater!" I have worked so hard to train my mind to think in a positive way. When I am around those who complain and point out every troublesome thing they can think of, I just want to ...... well..... I will say I want to leave. I wish I could shake some sense into them, or just smack 'em, so maybe it is better that I just get out of there!(Phil.4:8 MSG) Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious--the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.
Have you ever noticed that it is so easy to find the bad, and so hard to discover what is good? I ask you, what benefit comes from always seeing the worst in everything? Constructive criticism is all right, but just bashing everything and everybody.... no thanks.
Perhaps the biggest problem with this is attitude is that it can become a habit. We all know people who complain constantly. Do we enjoy being around them?
Before I get out of bed in the morning, I stretch, tell my Father "good morning," and just thank Him for another day. I think of all my blessings, and my heart is full of thanks and praise. My life is not perfect by any means. If I want to concentrate on the hard things -- the painful things, I could. But, I don't want to! There is no profit in it.
(Col 3:17 MSG) Let every detail in your lives--words, actions, whatever--be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
Soon, for those living in the U.S. it will be Thanksgiving. While I think it is wonderful that we have a special day set aside to count our blessings, I think it would be awful if we only did it on this one day.
"The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!" ~~ Henry Ward Beecher
Giving thanks daily is a vital part of the Christian life. Practicing an "attitude of gratitude" is incredibly important. Negative thinking and speaking can even affect your health!
(Phil 4:4 MSG) Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in Him!
If someone were to follow us around and record everything we said all day, would you be ashamed to listen to your words played back to you? If you know you tend to be negative, why not begin to ask God to change the way you look at life?
(Col.3:15 NLT) And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Be thankful. Always.
Comments (10)
We are on the "same page" concerning negative people!
I agree. Let's be more positive. That goes for not only content, but choice of words as well. So many people cuss regularly and blow it off saying, "Everyone does it, it's no big deal". That's actually sad, that those words have become so common place in their lives that it's no big deal.
I was wondering why I haven't been seeing your posts in my reading list. I'm glad you came to my page and commented so that I could again find and follow you.
ps. I knew someone who used to use that picture above as their avatar. One smile in a sea of blue. It makes me smile. I thought it rather sad when Walmart changed their smile logo for a more modern sunburst.
Thank you, Mae, and thank you, Lord.
I found out that I don't talk as much when I keep it positive.
Philippians 4:8 has become my operating verse. How wonderful are the blessings of God and how beautiful is the life He has given us!
I'm teaching a SS lesson on that first verse in a couple of weeks.
I don't know why but your posts don't come up in my feed. I am going to add your blog to my favorite's bar so I can visit more often...
This teaching is so true . We tend to be negative intead of seeing what is good in life .
Love
Michel