The glass conundrum
May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again: rejoice! Philippians 4 : 4 (GNB) |
It is said that there are two kinds of people in the world, those who see a glass half empty and others who see a glass half full. Which is often used to represent pessimists, people who always see the worst in a situation. Optimists, on the other hand, see the best in a situation.
The message that Paul is trying to get over in his letter to the church in Philippi is very similar. He is telling them to find joy in every situation you find yourself in. Even when things seem to be going wrong, or not going the way that we want we still have lots to thank God for. In these situations, this is what we should set our focus on.
Take the glass of water as an example, you could complain that it is half empty, that you have been shortchanged. Or you could be thankful for what you do have. Thankful that you have a glass at all, when many people in our world have nothing.
Being thankful for what we have gives God respect for what he has already done for us. It also makes us happier, we can focus on enjoying what we have now rather than being miserable chasing after something different. Thankful people are also much more fun to be around than grumpy complaining people.
If you focus on what you could have, or don't have you will never reach that place where you are satisfied, you will never truly be happy. If you only focus on what you don't have there you will always be able to find something that you are missing.
Another reason we should be thankful rather than grumpy is out of respect for God. God has already been generous to all of us by giving us what we have. By grumbling, and being unhappy with what you have you are also grumbling against God.
This week have a joyful week, focus on all of the good things. When you do you are sure to have a far better week!
This week's song is Color by Tom Smith |
Header image by: waferboard via Flickr