November 14, 2012 - Look on the Bright Side

GM friends, Our journeys have a lot to do with how we view life. Yes? And, how many of you know that so often we allow our circumstances to cloud the truth about God's plan for our lives. I am amazed at how many times gaining weight or failing to drink all my water GRABS my attitude. How about you? We try to smile and enjoy life but the constant voice of failure, buried deep in our mind, brings its colored influence to the table. Then, SOMETIMES, (let's be honest) our attitudes and daily encounters can be affected......people see our moods and attach their assessment . However, many times it's our own intense battle for success that dictates the face they "see" daily. I hear from so many of you as to how this day to day battle for health affects everything. I understand! You are not alone. Often the enemy of our soul wants people to embrace the lie that they are the ONLY one struggling. If we were honest - EVERY day has its OWN struggles. That's why Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow - today has its own issues - let's not battle 2 days at a time! HOWEVER, our response to the internal struggle doesn't need to be reflected in our mood. Our families don't need to bear the brunt of our bark which really says, "I'm hurting." Sometimes when we respond in a negative manner - and IF we are honest, we must admit we do this more than we should - we MUST grab that attitude, that face, that bark and sit back and let God's word recalibrate our hearts and minds. Yes, our health is important, but sometimes it becomes the "drive." NO, no.......God's Word and His love has to be driving force in our journey! God's word brings a smile to my heart and a joy like none other. How about you? I picked a scripture today to share that made me smile. I like starting the day with a smile and I plan to remind myself of this verse ANY TIME I am tempted to allow life's journey to draw me away from this internal pocket of joy. Isaiah 30:18 Amplified Bible (AMP) 18 And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect andlook and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!(A) God expects, looks and longs to be gracious to EACH of us. That's worth a smile. Yes? So today, when you are tempted to see your failures, SEE this verse and choose to look on the bright side. Keep saying the second half of the verse and smile - "that's me. I am happy, fortunate and to be envied because THIS DAY I earnestly wait for God and expect and look and long for HIS JOY, HIS FAVOR, HIS LOVE, HIS PEACE, HIS MATCHLESS, UNBROKEN COMPANIONSHIP." AMEN!!! Smile today! PK