Thinking....

Thinking.......

I am reading the book, "the Noticer" by Andy Andrews....

Early on In the book, the statement is made, "remember, whatever you focus upon, increases....when you focus on the things you need, your needs increase....if you set your mind on loss, you are more likely to lose....but  grateful perspective brings happiness and abundance into a person's life."

This so reminded me of my early times in marriage...my mother in law said so many hurtful things to me and I focused on them with growing anger and resentment to my detriment. I stewed,  brooded, focusing of those words, attitudes until everything was colored by my resentments and hurts. Then one day, the Words in Philippians, stood out in bold lettering,...I couldn't go on, carrying the weight of my anger and resentment. It was hurting myself, my relationships with my husband and children....

Indeed, as I focused on the good things, forgiveness, those increased....my love and respect for my mother in law increased....no, the remarks didn't go away, but they were filtered through, "think on these things"...God's Word....until we were able to help her in her last days with honor...

Thank YOU for lessons learned and continue to learn....help me to focus on the good and not the bad....help me to be an encourager to those around me...

Philippians 4:8 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. 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.

Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.

Psalm 119:15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.