I wish I would have know it was time to change the station when I couldn’t fall asleep the other night. Instead, I started thinking negative thoughts about myself and didn’t quit. ‘I could have done more to help a student, I should have called a friend the day before, I should have watched what I said to someone…’ The list of my problems went on and on. According to my nighttime musings, I couldn’t do anything right. But instead of trying to think of something else, I let the negativity play over and over in my mind. Although my thoughts weren’t doing me any good, I stayed on that station for hours, eventually falling into a restless sleep.
We live in a negative world, and it’s easy to get caught up in it. But that’s not God’s desire for us. God wants us to continually renew our minds. Renewing our minds means we let go of all the lies that hold us back and grab hold of the truth. “Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing, and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, GWT) God wants us to live a positive and uplifting life. And because he lives inside us, we can overcome negativity. “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7, NHEB)
Let’s replace the dark thoughts with good thoughts-ones that bring peace, joy, and strength. “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8, NIV) When the thoughts we’re having are all negative, that means it’s time to change the station.
Things to do today:
- Change the way you think.
- Read a similar blog called ‘Think Good Thoughts’ and listen to songs ‘Redeemed’ and ‘Break Every Chain.’
My family is camping near Lake Erie and we’re hoping for a bright and sunny day today. After raining all day yesterday, it looked like today would follow suit. The skies were overcast in the morning. There was a light drizzle and absolutely no sun to see in the early morning hours. We were wondering what we would do inside all day trying to entertain family from 3 years old to age 76. But midmorning changed our thinking completely. The sun began to burn away the clouds and by afternoon we had a full sky of sunshine and plenty of fun activities on tap. It’s amazing how one moment in time can change everything.
My daisies suddenly burst open. Truthfully, the buds had been taking shape for days. Most of the year the daisies are just nice green plants, but for a month every year, they are stunning. The day I planted the small flowers I hoped for the best. Placing them gently in the ground, I gave them food and water. On a consistent schedule, I fed them, (not bacon an eggs, but you know, plant food). Although there were time I wondered if they’d make it, today they’re very strong. Through the years the flowers have multiplied. And then suddenly, they are glorious to behold.
Hope is the joyful expectation that something good is about to happen. I couldn’t help thinking about hope while sitting at a graduation party tonight while numerous conversations played around me. They were filled with plans of the future, loaded with lofty goals and big dreams. All the seniors were looking ahead, making plans to find their place in this great big world. The theme throughout the party: an expectation of a bright and exciting future. God couldn’t agree more. “‘For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future.'” (Jeremiah 29:11)
The children’s’ song “Rain, Rain Go Away” is appropriate for my area of the country. Heavy and continual storms lingered for days, leaving roads closed, fields underwater, and rivers pushing over their banks. Persistent gray skies affect the temperament of everyone. There’s an attitude that sneaks in and causes us to want to hide under the covers until the storms pass. After all, who wants to face another day of running through the rain or fight yet another losing battle with a windblown umbrella? Watching the rain fly by my window makes me think it will never end. Fortunately, we all know the sun will shine again.
Not surprisingly, we’ve had another shift in weather in northwest Ohio. We had fierce winds the other night and those winds left behind colder temperatures and an obvious chill in the air. My furnace is running constantly, trying to keep up with the sudden change. Despite the cold, when I look out my windows the sun is shining brightly. And even though there was snow on the ground this morning, I can see the tiniest buds sneaking out on the branches of the trees in my yard. Spring is on the way.