Focusing On Positives

– Ponderings:

I happened to read something this morning on the internet that I had never heard before, and I feel the need to share it with you. In 1930, American chef Rith Wakefield and her husband purchased a historic building in Massachusetts and turned it into a tourist lodge. The building had been used in the 17-1800s as a toll house, and they called it the Toll House Inn. Ruth created recipes for the inn’s restaurant and began writing cookbooks. In 1938, she invented the Toll House Cookie. But that’s not what I found interesting. She later sold the recipe and the rights to the cookie to Nestle for one dollar and a lifetime supply of chocolate. She must’ve really liked chocolate!

It’s hard sometimes to find good news on social media. They learned long ago that “bad news” sells, and they are “selling” a lot lately. But often we do our own “selling” as well. We not only dwell on negative stories, we share them with others.

Focusing on the negatives in our lives has a detrimental impact on us. It can rob us of hope and increase stress. God wants to change our thinking and spend more time focusing on positives.

“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.” (Philippians 4:8).

During Lent, we often focus on giving up things (like chocolate!). But Paul’s words in Philippians 4:8 offer a counterbalance: While we remove the harmful, we must also fill our minds with what is good.

Paul presents a list of virtues to think about: truth, nobility, righteousness, loveliness, excellence, and things for which we give praise. This verse offers a blueprint for how our thoughts can impact our lives.

What dominates your thinking? Worry? Anger? Envy? Or perhaps even apathy? Lent invites us to think about our thoughts, and replace negative thoughts with those that reflect the nature of Christ before they take over and control us. What do you think?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me not to worry about those things I cannot control or focus on things that turn my heart away from you. Teach me to trust in your goodness and love, and focus on things important to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.