Saturday, December 15, 2012

Awesome!

Winter can be a tough time to keep positive. Darkness, cold, busyness and stress fill our lives until we walk with a kind of gloom over our heads. I am amazed at how many Christians feel that this is ok. That really "positive thinking" is for New Agers and not so Biblical Christians and the like. Simply put, the Bible urges and commands us to be positive thinkers. Considering the God we know, love and serve and the good news He has given us...Considering the staggering promises in His Word, anything less than an optimistic and hope-filled outlook is unthinkable. I could invite you to many scriptures that draw us this way but maybe the most prolific is Phil 4:8 "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." Reading this verse in it's context only strengthens it's urge to think positively. So, here is one very Christian piece of advice for those of you (like me) who battle negative thinking especially through the winter season. Think about things that are AWESOME! There are tons of them. Come up with a few...they will lift and encourage you and change your thinking. Here are a handful...
 - God made the stars! Awesome!
 - A baby is born! Awesome!
 - Someone listens to and cares for a hurting person! Awesome!
 - The sparkle in my wife's eyes when she feels loved! Awesome!
 - Learning something new and cool! Awesome!
 - Seeing God reconcile people who are estranged from each other! Awesome!
 - Coming home to your dog cuddling and licking you! (ok, I've never owned a dog...but in rare circumstances I could see how this could be awesome...if it was a puppy)
 - Watching someone push themselves to the limit and accomplish some great feat! Awesome!

I know there is a balance...It's not that we shouldn't think about or be aware of the evil in this world. But let's remember who wins in the end and that good conquers evil. Grieving is an appropriate and important part of being human and should not be skimmed over lightly. These things are true. But if you are like me, you probably need the reminder once and a while to simply celebrate all that is awesome!

(Credit: Some of the concept for this blog is taken from the "Book of Awesome" -  a book worth checking out)