How was your day? How are you feeling? Are you happy? If not – why not? So often we tend to put the key to our happiness in someone else’s pocket! I’ve found that during the “height” of the pandemic this spring, I was much happier if I didn’t watch the daily Covid 19 briefings on TV. They kept me scared. The same thing happened when the only thing the news showed were the cities where rioters were tearing down statues and burning buildings. These scenes broke my heart. Have you ever known a “Negative Nellie?” They’re one of those people who tend to always see the glass as half empty, instead of half full. If we’re not careful, we’ll find them rubbing off on us and we’ll start thinking negatively, too.
Paul told the Philippians how to “think happy thoughts.” In Philippians 4:8, he said, “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.” If we are spending our time concentrating on “what’s right with the world,” we’ll have less time to “ponder” on those things that will bring us down. We must “set our minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2) Jesus said to “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19-20). So, where is your heart?
I once heard that it’s better to walk alone – than with a crowd going in the wrong direction. Don’t put the key to your happiness in someone else’s pocket. If you feel far from God, guess who moved? It wasn’t Him! For we are simply blessed, aren’t we? Courtney