Lysa TerKeurst
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…" Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
Several months back, my daughter Ashley had a gymnastics meet that didn't go so well. She fell on almost every event. She scored well below her expectations and I thought there would be lots of tears at the awards ceremony. But, much to my surprise, she bounced up to me and exclaimed, "Mom, did you see I landed my vault on my feet. That's a good thing about today."
She then flitted off with her teammates to get ice cream. One of the other moms grabbed my arm and complimented Ashley's good attitude. Though I did feel sad for Ashley - after all she had worked so hard to prepare for this meet, my heart still swelled with joy. That compliment meant more than seeing my daughter with a neck full of gold medals. Do I want Ashley to win? Yes, of course. But seeing a good attitude displayed in the face of adversity - well that's simply priceless.
Ashley's outlook challenged me. How many times do I have something bad happen in my day and it just seems to turn my whole attitude south? Instead of just resigning myself to being emotional or sensitive, I've decided to see this as a call to action. I've started making the choice to say a simple statement that often diverts a bad attitude. And the statement is this, "If this is the worst thing that happens to me today, it's still a pretty good day."
Boy does this statement put things into perspective. I guess it's an everyday way to do a little heart check up. The Bible tells us that we should intentionally make our minds think of things that are good, true, excellent, and praiseworthy. The more I think about things like these, the more my perspective seems to stay in check. In Colossians 3:15 we are instructed to, "Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts… and be thankful." Verse 16 goes on to say that we should also, "Let the word of God dwell in us richly…" Finally, verse 17 says, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus…"
Letting the peace of Christ rule in our hearts and letting the Word of God dwell in us richly doesn't just happen naturally. We have to intentionally make those choices. And we have to challenge ourselves to deal with the bad while focusing on all the good that is there as well.
So, what aggravation or disappointment are you facing today? If that's the worst thing that happens - I bet you could say it's still a pretty good day too.
Dear Lord, help me to put daily aggravations into proper perspective. Give me the wisdom to choose to let the peace of Christ rule in my heart. And give me a hunger to get into Your word and let Your word get into me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained by Lysa TerKeurst
*Be one of the first to receive Lysa’s new book! Pre-order her newest release: Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl.
Visit Lysa on her blog and click here for more of her resources.
Application Steps:
Click over to Lysa’s blog to post a comment about how you will choose to see the good rather than focus on the bad in your day today. Each time something aggravates you, make the choice to say, "If this is the worst thing that happens to me today, it's still a pretty good day."
Reflections:
Are there some areas that are consistently tripping up your attitude? Find some verses that you can memorize to help redirect your outlook when negativity starts to creep into your heart.
Intentionally recall things you are thankful for and focus on praising God for those circumstances.
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:4-5, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all…" (NIV)
Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (NIV)
Colossians 3:15-17, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…" Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
Several months back, my daughter Ashley had a gymnastics meet that didn't go so well. She fell on almost every event. She scored well below her expectations and I thought there would be lots of tears at the awards ceremony. But, much to my surprise, she bounced up to me and exclaimed, "Mom, did you see I landed my vault on my feet. That's a good thing about today."
She then flitted off with her teammates to get ice cream. One of the other moms grabbed my arm and complimented Ashley's good attitude. Though I did feel sad for Ashley - after all she had worked so hard to prepare for this meet, my heart still swelled with joy. That compliment meant more than seeing my daughter with a neck full of gold medals. Do I want Ashley to win? Yes, of course. But seeing a good attitude displayed in the face of adversity - well that's simply priceless.
Ashley's outlook challenged me. How many times do I have something bad happen in my day and it just seems to turn my whole attitude south? Instead of just resigning myself to being emotional or sensitive, I've decided to see this as a call to action. I've started making the choice to say a simple statement that often diverts a bad attitude. And the statement is this, "If this is the worst thing that happens to me today, it's still a pretty good day."
Boy does this statement put things into perspective. I guess it's an everyday way to do a little heart check up. The Bible tells us that we should intentionally make our minds think of things that are good, true, excellent, and praiseworthy. The more I think about things like these, the more my perspective seems to stay in check. In Colossians 3:15 we are instructed to, "Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts… and be thankful." Verse 16 goes on to say that we should also, "Let the word of God dwell in us richly…" Finally, verse 17 says, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus…"
Letting the peace of Christ rule in our hearts and letting the Word of God dwell in us richly doesn't just happen naturally. We have to intentionally make those choices. And we have to challenge ourselves to deal with the bad while focusing on all the good that is there as well.
So, what aggravation or disappointment are you facing today? If that's the worst thing that happens - I bet you could say it's still a pretty good day too.
Dear Lord, help me to put daily aggravations into proper perspective. Give me the wisdom to choose to let the peace of Christ rule in my heart. And give me a hunger to get into Your word and let Your word get into me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained by Lysa TerKeurst
*Be one of the first to receive Lysa’s new book! Pre-order her newest release: Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl.
Visit Lysa on her blog and click here for more of her resources.
Application Steps:
Click over to Lysa’s blog to post a comment about how you will choose to see the good rather than focus on the bad in your day today. Each time something aggravates you, make the choice to say, "If this is the worst thing that happens to me today, it's still a pretty good day."
Reflections:
Are there some areas that are consistently tripping up your attitude? Find some verses that you can memorize to help redirect your outlook when negativity starts to creep into your heart.
Intentionally recall things you are thankful for and focus on praising God for those circumstances.
Power Verses:
Philippians 4:4-5, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all…" (NIV)
Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (NIV)
Colossians 3:15-17, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (NIV)
© 2009 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Labels: Balance, Contentment, God's Perspective, Parenting, Perseverance, Trusting God
4 Comments:
God's timing on these devotions is so funny. Yesterday, He presented the lesson in real life for me. I have a 6-year old daughter and I was taking her-for what seemed like the millionth time this summer- to the local waterpark. I dreaded it and even complained about it to someone. I was so tired of packing up the pool bag, slathering on sunscreen on my wiggly worm, and sitting in the germy splash pool playing games. I am always happy we came once I see her giant smile when she jumps in for the first time. Yesterday, though, I was really wishing I could be somewhere else. Somewhere cool with no crowds or germs or "work!" That is,until I saw a mom with three girls, one of whom was about 8 and in a wheelchair and could not move or talk. The mother gracefully toted her around to the various splash pools, taking her out of her wheelchair and putting a cumbersome life vest on her each time. One thing the little girl could do was smile with glee each time her mom put her in the water. I don't know how she did it, but the mom managed to play with the other two smaller children as well, looking like she was having a ball with them. It struck me how easy my life was...I have a healthy child and my biggest job that day was to sit in the kiddie pool with her and watch her do somersaults. Yeah, she was fussy sometimes and it was hot, but if that was the worst thing tha happened all day, my day was magnificent. I pray forgiveness for being anything less than thankful for all of the blessings I have, and I will try from now on to have this attitude. I also thank God for showing me that graceful mother whose loving example taught me this lesson. Thanks for the devotion.
Yeah,yesterday I heard that Phil Collins song-- "paradise" it brought tears to my eyes,we are so blessed by God, what we have to do is spread our faith and the good news of Jesus Christ,and the salvation he has given us-- FOR FREE! go out and witness to all people,thank and praise the Lord!
I learn so much from my children if my eyes are open. No matter what I'm going through, when I'm thinking with the attitude of Christ, I can ALWAYS say it's a good day. One of the kids' praise songs I used to lead had these lyrics, and it was one of my favorites:
"Say hey, it's a good day,
even if things aren't goin' my way.
Jesus is born, and I am saved, so
Say, hey, it's a good day."
*Uncle Charlie's "Say Hey" cd.
Simple, but oh so true. :D
Great. Thanks.
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