Partly Cloudy or Partly Sunny?

****In light of the snow the last two weeks, I thought I would repost this devotion from a couple months ago...ENJOY!****

Partly Cloudy or Partly Sunny?The other day a friend of mine on Facebook made this statement. My comment was simply…partly sunny!

Much of life is about PERSPECTIVE.

To determine the effects of media on how people think, in a recent research study, individuals were divided into two groups. One group heard 5 minutes a day of negative news stories: car bombs, death, earthquakes, riots, etc. The other group heard more positive and uplifting stories. The results?

After listening to only five minutes of negative news the first group experienced four discernable effects:
1. they were more depressed than before
2. they believed the world was a negative place
3. they were less likely to help others
4. they began to believe what they heard would soon happen to them

What we think will determine the course of our life. Wrong thinking produces negative emotions which produces unwise behavior which results in devastating consequences. Likewise right thinking produces positive emotions which produces wise behavior resulting in fruitful consequences. The old adage is so often true…you are what you think!

Listen to Paul’s advice…
Phil 4:6-9
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, 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. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. NIV

Each day we must choose what we will feed our mind. God wants us to have a POSITVIE mental diet! Thinking great thoughts means taking the incredible ability to focus on negatives and using it for more positive and truthful purposes.

In light of Paul’s advice, listen to the words of a prayer a friend sent me this week…
Jesus, in accordance with your Word, I choose to lay aside all my anxiety and take up your mind-bending peace instead. Supernatural tranquility will pervade my thoughts throughout this day as your Living Word renews my mind and way of thinking. I will purposefully and willfully choose to deliberate and ponder on things that are true, pure, noble, right, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. As a result, your peace will rule my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

Never forget…It is always PARTLY SUNNY!

Blessings,
Darren