Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9)
My husband and I argued yesterday. My hopes for an attitude of gratitude and peace in our household flew right out the window. I was failing at on my Lenten journey. I wasn’t doing enough to embrace this new attitude.
I watch a video on Facebook about marriage. The speaker mentions this passage in relation to the marital relationship. God whispers and the light bulb goes off. I hadn’t failed, I just hadn’t taken things far enough. The attitude of gratitude is great, but it is even better when accompanied by looking at and embracing the positive things in my life. Throughout the argument I was guilty of looking for all the things I found wrong with Al and I never took the time to look at the other things, the things I fell in love with, the good things about him.
My attitude, my perspective was in the wrong place and because of that Satan found an opening and took advantage of it. I practically opened the door and welcomed him in. Thank goodness God was there to pull me back.
Anyway the moral of the story: When I focus on all the things that make me angry, make me hate, make me wonder why I ever married this man, had these children or made any of my life choices; when I focus on the negative, I give Satan the opening he needs to get in. And I do have to open that door, he cannot get in on his own. Just like Eve in the Garden of Eden, when I engage the devil he pushes the advantage. He won’t hold back and say “Are you sure you want to do this.” Instead he will go straight for the jugular and when it’s all over you won’t know what hit you.
When we focus on what is good; in our spouses, our children, our lives, when we let God in first the atmosphere of God’s peace and love will prevail. There will be trials and days like yesterday when I was ready to walk out the door on my life and marriage, but keeping God in front of me, beside me and behind me, by being thankful, by focusing on the positive, by forgiving, the end of the journey will be worth it. I won’t be left bleeding in the darkness wondering what happened.
Question:
In fact, sitting still is not a big problem, the problem needs to cialis 5mg sale learningworksca.org be properly and accurately diagnosed. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1998;21(8):511-519. http://www.learningworksca.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/dropout-report.pdf sildenafil generic viagra 4. ED measure buy viagra from india and relief with Kamagra 100mgED measure can be timely formatted with erectile solution Kamagra. Reactions: Migraine, flushing, stuffy/runny nose, or discombobulation may happen. purchase generic cialis Are there things in my life that I look for and find all the negative, all the things to hate? Do I only consider these things in my response to God and others? How can I change my perspective and find the things that are good and positive, that will bring me closer to God?
Please share your stories in the comments below.
Prayer:
Most awesome and powerful Jesus, forgive me for my anger and my limited perspective. Help me to look beyond what I see as weaknesses and failings in myself and others. Help me to see what is true and good and beautiful in my life and the lives of those around me. Thank you Lord for all the gifts you have given me, especially the gift of words so that I may share You and Your message with the world. Thank you for my family, especially my husband. May we as we travel these perilous paths find You in each other and open our eyes to all that is good and beautiful in each other and the world around us. This I pray through your most loving and merciful Son, Jesus and His blessed mother, Mary. Amen
All for the Glory of God,
Christina Weigand
PS Be sure to stop in tomorrow for the next Guest Author post in our Lenten Journey. You can check out Jennifer Fitz on her blog http://