Our thoughts can consume us so much so that we can have restless nights or even find it hard to get to sleep at all… Psalm 34:1-3 (Living Bible) gives us some advise on how we should be focusing our attention on God rather than the problems and/or issues that we are facing.
“I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of his glories and grace. I will boast of all his kindness to me. Let all who are discouraged take heart. Let us praise the Lord together, and exalt his name.”
Bill Hybels in his book “Engraved on your heart: Living the Ten Commandments Day by Day” says that ‘many well-intentioned Christians have carelessly permitted a multitude of other concerns to become their “gods.” They’ve allowed these concerns to usurp the position of prominence that Jehovah God should have in their affections.
Are you really worshiping the true and living God? Does He have ultimate authority in your life? To help answer those questions honestly, let me ask you another question about your affections: Of whom, or what, do you find yourself thinking during quiet moments of free time?’
Often we become so absorbed by our doubts, concerns, and/or issues that we are facing that we put our faith and trust in God’s provision on the back burner. And all to often we start with trying to solve the problem ourselves and putting some initial steps in place to come to a favourable position in our own minds-eye… Which takes more time to digest and ultimately keeps us from spending time with God seeking His wisdom and peace.
Bill Hybels goes on to say ‘I realize that most people, including myself, do not have a lot of free thought time. Our thoughts usually are directed toward specific tasks, responsibilities, or conversations – whether we’re at home, school, or in the marketplace. But at isolated moments … our minds do have the freedom to focus on whatever we choose. …
Our minds, like the needle on a compass, can focus on a variety of subjects throughout the day. But in the end, when they’re left alone to settle, they’ll focus on the objects of our greatest affection.
Where does your mind settle? … The person who truly has “no other gods” before the living God usually will find that his thoughts “swing around” until they focus on God.’
So no matter what comes our way let us focus in on the one thing that matters most. And may we praise Him for what we have, for what he is doing in our lives and what he is going to do.
The life and times of Perry... 