Our Disposition Impacts our Life
Yesterday, I had a final visit from my palliative care nurse. She came to inform me that they were discharging me from care, because of my improvement. So another marker of progress in my recovery.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15 NLT
I hate the “is the glass half empty or half full?” question. I usually want to ask, well, what was it before there was only half? Was it empty or was it full? I know it really doesn’t matter, because the point is to reveal how one views life. Is there a natural bent toward being positive or negative. I think the “half full” vantage is suppose to be more positive, but I’m not sure why.
But what we know is our attitude or disposition does make a difference in our approach to life and our enjoyment of life. Proverbs 27:19 (NLT) says, “As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.” Then we read, “A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:13 NLT) So we see our mood is often reflected in our face.
Author and Bible Teacher, Jeff Lucas, is from England. He comments on how friendly Americans can be. He says it was unusual for him to have people say, “have a good day!” He compares that to the attitudes of Brits. If you say that to a Brit, Lucas observes, you are likely to get the response, “I will, bloody well, have the kind of day, I want to have.”
If you are down, constantly discouraged and always looking on the “dark side” you will find your fill of trouble and sorrow. Have you met those who seem to go from crisis to crisis and always live in some kind of perpetual trauma or heartache?
In contrast, Solomon observed thousands of years ago what we see today, “For the happy heart, life is a continual feast.” These are those who can greet each day with, “Good morning, Lord!” opposed to, “Good Lord, it’s morning!”
Anticipation of what lies ahead is possible when we realize that God is with us and for us. The Lord does not forsake His own. He promises to give strength for each day and victory for each battle. He is the God who meets our needs and is the ever-present help in time of trouble.
Our attitude can be contagious and be a source of encouragement to others. At the end of Proverbs 15, we read, “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart…” (Proverbs 15:30 NLT) In the midst of the challenges of life, we need to focus on the Lord of life and be encouraged in who our God is and follow the admonition of Hebrews, “…encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Hebrews 13:3 NIV)
I am reminded of the words, “Look at others and you will be distressed, look at yourself and you will be depressed, but when you look to Jesus, you will be blessed.”
Prayer for today… Lord, You are the glory and lifter of our heads (Psalm 3:3). Help us to focus our attention on You and who You are and what You do for those who place their hope in You.