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The more you complain (even when you don’t say a word), the more things you’ll see to complain about. The very good news is that saying thank-you works the same way.
“Thou hast given so much to me; give one thing more -- a grateful heart. . . .” George Herbert
“(Today) I will give abundant thanks to the Lord. . . .” Psalm 109:30 (parenthetical added)
Scientists say that there is one star for every cell in every person on earth (and we each have about fifty trillion). Whoever made all those cells and stars has to be great. If He is also good, it would be silly to waste today worrying.
“And He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid?’” Matthew 8:26
Father, I get scared and worried whenever I forget that You are great and good. Please surprise me today with reminders.
This day will be filled with you-first-or-me-first choices. Every free you-first is a shining trade: self-absorption for joy.
Self-absorption: preoccupation with one’s own emotions, interests or situation
Father, please fill and satisfy me with Your steadfast love today so that I won’t try to fill and satisfy myself. Only then I will sing for joy. From Psalm 90:14
When you do something wrong, you can either stay stuck in the guilt and shame and self-focus of it, or you can say one hearty I’m-sorry and get back in the race.
“[F]orgetting what lies behind and stretching and straining forward (as in a race) toward what lies ahead, I press on, running swiftly toward the goal. . . .” Philippians 3:13-14 (parenthetical added)
Father, thank You for forgiving me for yesterday so that I can run swiftly today, clean and light of heart. From 1 John 1:9
You don’t really love somebody as long as you’re collecting hurtful things that she has said or done. The healthiest and hardest remedy is to throw them all away every day instead.
“Love . . . keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. . . . The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell.” C. S. Lewis
If you thought you could be freer from the mire of self-centeredness tomorrow than you are today, would it put a little skip in your step?
“The freedom of self-forgetfulness. . . .” Tim Keller
“I am Yours; free me.” Psalm 119:94
