Positive Thoughts
Bible Reading: Philippians 4:8-9
We continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
As we take personal inventory, we will probably be inclined to focus on the bad things in our lives. Early on in recovery it's hard to see much that's very good. It's easy to get our perspective out of focus, allowing pessimism to grow. We may even feel awkward about taking inventory of the good things in our lives.
The apostle Paul advised, "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. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you" (Philippians 4:8-9).
Balance is an important part of our recovery. Our daily balance sheet needs to have two sides, since there is both good and bad in all of us. We'll make choices that are right and choices that are wrong. We may take a step back now and again, but we should also take into account the two steps we took forward. Let's not get overwhelmed by focusing on the failure in ourselves and others. It is good to confess our wrongs and receive God's forgiveness on a daily basis. But once we've done this, it's time to stop and consider what remains in our lives. We should look for everything that is right and pure, the things that are lovely and admirable. Let's take some time during our continuing inventory to count our blessings. Let's take note of everything we can praise God for in our lives!
What we keep in our minds and hearts often determines what we do and say.
To purchase this devotional please visit New Life Ministries
Taken from The Life Recovery Devotional: Thirty Meditations from Scripture for Each Step in Recovery by Stephen Arterburn and David Stoop. Copyright © 1991 by Stephen Arterburn and David Stoop. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.
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