Dwell

From time to time I, like many of us, have moments when I can dwell upon all the negative or down things that are going on with or affecting my life.

It’s easy, it begins with one thought that builds upon another thought. Then something else creeps in and builds upon that thought. Then, something happens at work or at home that builds upon those thoughts that leads to more thoughts. Then, pretty soon, I find myself continuously dwelling upon such things all day long.

Thus, any anger, frustration, sadness, darkness is written all over me, my eyes and my attitude… even through the mask of a smile.

But then, as I find myself sinking into that cavern of self doubt, anger and frustration… and questioning my self-worth, I am reminded of this passage in Philippians:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, 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 it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” 
- Philippians 4:8-9

I am reminded of my need for Jesus and my desire to become more and more like Him. I am reminded of all the good that also happened in my day, in my life, in my little part of the world... reminded of all the good that I am surrounded by... and reminded to dwell upon such things.

For example, I can dwell on and list all the things that went wrong and were bad things that have happened to me and my family over the past 20 years... 

Or I can think of the birth of my youngest daughter S G and how she has grown into a beautiful young woman succeeding in college. And I can think about Ellie and Abbie and how they have become great young professionals, great wives and one of them a great mother. I would have missed their salvation stories and all the joy that those three have brought into my and Amy’s life.

I can think of job changes and family moves in a negative light.... or think about the positive platform that God has given in new communities, in new places.

Though I can learn from the losses... I can also savor the victories (and learn from those as well)

The enemy wants me to dwell on the negative, the angry, the frustrating, the disappointments, the lies of the devil.

God wants me to dwell on whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy.

In other words, God wants me to dwell upon Him and His characteristics. He wants wants me to dwell upon His Son and His characteristics, both of which are written above:

True... Noble... Right... Pure... Lovely... Admirable... Excellent... Praiseworthy...

Dwell upon such things.

Keep the Faith... Carpe Diem