John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (Words spoken by Jesus)

There is something to be said for positive thinking...not the "deny the truth and pretend everything is perfect" kind of positive thinking, but the purposeful kind. There is so much to be negative about...and rightly so in many cases. But lately I have noticed that I have control over what I choose to ponder on.

This has all come about because I have been struggling with stress induced health issues. I have exhausted every physical resource at my disposal...and as much as these things can give me some measure of relief...they are not getting at the root of the problem. I have discovered that the root of the problem lies within me. As much as I would like to think otherwise...I choose to stress about things.

Oh brother...

There is so much pain and suffering...yet there is beauty and joy and peace to be had as well! In my own life I have discovered that it's not about DENYING the truth about the bad things, but, where possible, CHOOSING to think about the blessings and the good things. I look at it this way....I only have so much "brain energy" available to me each day...why waste it on negative things that, for the most part, are out of my control anyway?!

Believe me when I tell you that this transition is a work in progress! I seem to default to the negative without even thinking about it! So this has been my "job" and conscious effort over the past weeks...to learn to let go of the things that are out of my control and to give myself the gift of positive and uplifting thought patterns. I KNOW that this kind of change is hard, but I am beginning to see the positive changes in my body because of it. I am not a "victim of stress" as often as I was before! I am learning to let go and, as hard as that has been, it is making a difference in my life.

The bible talks about this very thing! Philippians 4:4-8 says:
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which trascend all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 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."

I want to encourage you to examine your "thought life" as I have done. I pray that you will continue to be open to the beauty around you that comes from the Living God, and that you will choose to think about the things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy...

Here is a "Buried Treasure" of beauty I recently discovered...may it bring a touch of beauty into your life today!

Blessings to you, my dA friends....
Alison <><

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