Dwell on What is Good!

There are certainly enough things going on out in the world that could make us dwell on the scary.

The thoughts about what could be coming that fill you with anxiety.

The watching of tragedies on the news.

Ignoring everything that is bad going on around us doesn’t really work.  We have to be aware, alert, and proactive about many aspects of life. We need to teach our children about what they should watch out for, but we can’t hide in bedrooms for the rest of our lives!

So, what is the answer?  We are told to dwell on righteous things!  Our God knew that this life could have some very rough moments, but that our time on this earth would be invaluable.  We would learn to control our wonderful bodies, produce good things, work hard in helpful events, bring children into the world, and rear families.  Our minds would see the beauty of the flowers, the high clouds in the sky, and how they change.  We would see the good that is going on all around us.

The goodness of people to each other.

The bravery of people in helping one another.

Life is good, but it has some very hard moments.  Often in some very dark times, the most we can come up with is that we are glad we are alive so that we can continue to grow and experience. I always think of my parents in the middle of World War II.  The whole world was at war, and my family was both in Europe and in the Pacific. For them it couldn’t get much worse.  They thought they would never have another day of happiness, yet the war did end, and my parents had forty more years that were the best of their life.

Often things look hopeless, but where there is life there is hope.  Even in death we have healing of hearts as loved ones become closer, more forgiving, more loving.

It takes bravery to continue on, but I assure you that it is worth it. I have seen many lives change with time. Often, it takes time. We all want it to change right now.  If we need counseling, then don’t just think about it, get it started. Action itself creates change. If we just sit, nothing happens. Change for the most part comes slowly. Learn to be patient with yourself!

So, while we are in a slow changing moment, dwell on what is good.

“Gosh, today I was able to walk a block instead of half a block.”

“Wow, today I kept my temper better than I did yesterday.”

“Goodness, I have just managed to heal a relationship that wasn’t going well.”

Life is good.  Life is a work in progress.  To make it progress in a more positive way, dwell on the good.  Have an attitude of gratitude.  Start a gratitude diary.  It really does help to write down what has gone well each day.  Each day I am going to write three or more things that I am grateful or that I have seen that were good.

Shall we get started?