Now, Where Did I Put My Mind...

When my boys were still living at home, there's something I used to tell them every time they thought they were going to have a bad day.  I'd say,

"It will be if that's what you choose - it's all up to you.  It's your choice."  

If you go into the day expecting it to be bad... it probably will be because you've already settled your attitude in the negative.  There may, if fact, be some bad things that transpire.  But, just because life hands you something bad doesn't mean you have to take it.  Don't let your mind wander around in the negative. That's depressing!

I've found that if I start off my day with my mind in the right place, no matter what happens, I can bring my mind back to center and keep a good attitude.  So what's center, you may ask?  Here's center for me....

"Whatsover things are true, whatsover 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." 

Philippians 4:8

So, practically speaking, I attempt to apply these virtues to my thoughts and think on these things instead of the sour grapes the day may try to hand me.  So, I'm going to think on things that are

• true
• honest
• just
• pure
• lovely and
• a good report

in all things.  

Where you put your mind really matters.  It can determine not only your attitude during the day.... it can determine the attitude of others.  

Your attitude has an air about it, an aroma, if you will.  When you walk into a room.... people smell the fragrance of your mind.  So... it's in your best interest if, before you walk out the door this morning, you ask yourself this question, "Now, where did I put my mind?"  And put it on good things.  It will not only help you have a better day, those with whom you come in contact will also appreciate it!

Taking Our Medicine

In my devotions this morning I read these words from Steve Hill and Hannah Whitall Smith.  They were so good I thought I'd share.


"My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: for whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. 

Proverbs 3:11,12

"God can, and will, bring about His desires in us—one way or another. At times He may even use those around us to carry out His desire. As Hannah Whitall Smith writes:

'A very good illustration of this may be found in the familiar act of a mother giving medicine to her dearly loved child. The bottle holds the medicine, but the mother gives it—the bottle is not responsible, but the mother. No matter how full her closet may be of bottles of medicine, the mother will not allow one drop to be given to the child unless she believes it will be good for it; but when she does believe it will be good for her darling, the very depth of her love compels her to force it on the child, no matter how bitter it may taste. 

The human beings around us are often the bottles that hold our medicine, but it is our Father’s hand of love that pours it out and compels us to drink it. The medicine that these human “bottles” hold is prescribed for us and given to us by the Great Physician of our souls—who is seeking thereby to heal all our spiritual diseases. Shall we rebel against the human bottles then? Shall we not rather take thankfully from our Father’s hand the medicine they contain and say joyfully, “Thy will be done” in everything that comes to us, no matter what its source may be?'

What wonderful medicine to keep in mind the next time we find ourselves rubbed the wrong way! Perhaps, keeping today’s text in mind, we will find it was for our own good!"

Lord, help me to remember that you have my best interest at heart and that "All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose." (that's me) Romans 8:28