Normally, I’m a “glass ½ full” kind of girl. But, every once in a while I get that reversed. I have so many blessings in my life, but sometimes, I get stuck thinking about the negatives. The other day my mind wandered back to a time in my life when I was struggling. I began to think about past mistakes and wrong choices that had long since been forgiven. My thoughts began to travel the gloomy road that leads to pessimism called “What If”. What if I hadn’t failed? What if different choices had been made? What if we had had more money? What if we hadn’t lost so much? 

Soon, the pessimism turned to self-blame and depression threatened to settle nicely in. I was having a real pity-party. But praise God! I turned to Him! I knew that my attitude was poor and I wasn’t showing the appreciation to God that He deserved. So, I prayed. I asked for forgiveness for dwelling on things that He had already released me from and asked for strength to remember my blessings.


His answer was simple and direct:

“Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. 
Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8).

It took some effort, but with God’s help, my mood turned around. I consciously focused on the blessings that God has given me and the wonderful things He has done in my life. I remembered His love, His grace and the sacrifice He made for me. I thought of the gift of my husband and family and the provisions God has given us. In retrospect, I saw that my complaints paled in comparison to the greatness of God’s generosity. I was humbled.

In that moment, I determined to look at my “glass ½ full” and always thank God for the blessings in my life. Not only does praising Him for who He is and thanking Him for what He does bring honor to our Lord; it also puts us in the right mindset to serve Him. As we go through our day with an attitude of praise we are able to focus on God and His promises rather than on ourselves. And when we look beyond ourselves, we please our Father.

“I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty - and I will meditate on your wonderful works” (Psalm 145:1-5).

Gripped by grace,





12 Comments

  1. This is so easy for me to do, too. It's definitely not the way He wants us to live! I've never known how to get out of it until recently while reading One Thousand Gifts and starting my own list of 1,000 Thanks and I'll sure there'll be more. Thanks for sharing this, it's a blessing to recall that it is all forgiven.

    Hugs ~ Mary

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  2. It sure does turn things around when we change our perspective, doesn't it? As we remember our blessings, our trials seem so much smaller!


    Blessings, Joan

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  3. It's so much easier to focus on the negatives in our lives. But I am learning that through focusing on the little blessings in my life, it opens the door to see the greater blessings! So glad to see you at The Weekend Brew!

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  4. Lisa KernerMarch 02, 2013

    I have always been a glass half full lady too.. but then one day on piterest I saw something that shook me up... really our glasses are always full, with air... and honestly with Jesus if we choose to see Him. Choose to see the blessing. You summed that up well int he post, fantastic. Visiting from Freshly Brewed :)

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  5. Yes, it is all having the right attitude, isn't it? When I purposely think of all the good things in my life, my troubles seem trivial in comparison!

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  6. Hi Lisa! Welcome to The Beauty in His Grip! I've seen that picture on Pinterest, too - and love it! Yes, our glass has been full all along! In fact, with Jesus, our glass overflows!

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  7. Thanks for sharing this positive message, Joan. We all need encouragement. It is easy to fall into the trap of self pity. You found the right answer.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  8. Thanks for stopping by, Charlotte, and for hosting Spiritual Sundays! I agree...we all need encouragement and when we look to God, He will shower it upon us!

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  9. Taking every thought captive...that is where our battle rages, isn't it? Blessing on you for being able to stand firm in the Truth and focus your mind elsewhere.

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  10. Yes, it is a battle, but with God's strength, we can deliberately turn our focus to the right things! Thanks for dropping by today!

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  11. Pamela KuhnMarch 03, 2013

    The enemy always tries to bring up the past. Those things covered by the blood. The things God has already placed in the sea of His unforgetableness. Your verse is my go-to verse when the devil is "piling it on." God directed me here today. Thank you for writing authentically.

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  12. You are so right about the enemy's schemes! When we focus on the past and our past mistakes our eyes are taken off of God and all of the good He is doing! We need to stand firm in the knowledge that God made a way for us to be redeemed through His sacrifice. That can never be taken away! Praise God!

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