Thoughts

^{“ 8} 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.”

I’ve been very good at being negative lately, especially towards myself.  The little dissatisfied voice manages to speak up in my head almost all the time, and for some reason, I allow myself to listen.  “You don’t write anymore, gosh, you are so lazy.  Oh, and did you really need four of those cookies last night?  I mean, you only work out once a week, so all those calories are just going to stick with you.  You keep complaining that your jeans don’t fit, why don’t you just do something about it?”  Yep, that little voice just prattles on, while I just sit back and absorb the negativity.  Then, I’m surprised when I’m cranky and dissatisfied all the time.  When I was sitting in church yesterday, the verse listed above (from Philippians 4) stuck with me.  At first reading, especially out of context, it simply sounds like a sound byte for the Power of Positive Thinking.  But it’s more than that.  It’s a call to focus your mind and thinking on God.  I think it’s about time for me to start refocusing my thoughts.  For example, instead of thinking, “Wow, you’re so lazy,” change that to, “Wow, God is an infinite source of strength and inspiration.”  Instead of, “you’ll never live up to your standards of beauty,” thinking, “God created everything beautiful.”  I am so easily distracted that it’s easy to forget where my eyes and mind need to be directed.  I’m just glad that God is faithful to give me reminders when I’m off track.