Marcus Antonius said, “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”
My mother used to make what some considered to be “the best pickles”. I never did understand why. They weren’t my favorite food. It doesn’t make sense to pick fresh, crisp cucumbers and soak them in brine until they turn soft and sour. Some say that soaking and souring changes a fresh vegetable into something delicious. I don’t agree, at least not in this instance.
We humans also soak and sour. How you ask? By dwelling on the negative. How often have we set our minds on a wrong done to us or a mistake we ourselves have committed. What good comes from deliberately pondering on the destructive things in life? I can’t think of even one instance when it made something better.
Philippians chapter four, verses 8-9 says, 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Paul’s words couldn’t be more clear. The dwelling we do should be on the excellent things in life. We need to get our minds off ourselves, off our circumstances and on God’s goodness. This kind of thinking can transform us from someone who soaks and sours to someone who lives with a heart full of praise.
Grace and peace to you from God.
Bonnie
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