Everyday thousands and maybe millions of thoughts go through our mind. Some thoughts are just fleeting. While other thoughts stay in our head and become a part of what we concentrate and think on. Whatever we dwell on long enough will eventually become a part of us and is lodged in our heart. Eventually, what’s in our heart will be played out in our actions and speech. Matthew 12:34 says “… for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”
Your thoughts will also determine how you view life as a whole and will ultimately determine your quality of life, joy and your degree of peace. If you constantly dwell on how bad or unfair life has been, your future will be just as bleak as your past. Fortunately, if you develop an attitude of gratitude, regardless of your circumstances, you will always have God’s joy and peace! If you notice, I did not say you would be happy. Remember, happiness is based on your circumstances. You may be happy at lunchtime, but if someone does something you don’t like, you may be unhappy by mid-afternoon.
With an attitude of gratitude you will have the joy and peace that only God can give. God will give you peace in the middle of a storm and, with God’s peace and joy, you rest knowing God is in control. More importantly, with an attitude of gratitude, you focus on how grateful you are for what you have rather than concentrating on what you don’t have.
For example, a wife may constantly complain about her husband and many of his trivial ways. However, she should be thankful and grateful for him. Why? Because one woman’s trivial husband is another woman’s priceless treasure. Another example is a husband who becomes tired of his wife’s constant “nagging.” Well, there are many widowed husbands who would give anything in the world to hear their wife’s “nagging” one last time. We must stop focusing on the negative, accentuate the positive, and be grateful for all of God’s blessings.
Phil 4:6-9 says “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
There is no need to worry. Talk to your heavenly daddy. He will give you peace when everyone else will be going haywire. Remember, the key to joy and peace is your thoughts.
