#changedpov

Do you ever find yourself caught up in a mindset of negativity?  Do you ever wake up on the wrong side of the bed?  Or are you a person who only sees the glass half full, the dark side of the silver lining, and your peaches and cream have curdled?

A depressing negative mindset is easy enough to fall into, and before you know it you can find all sorts of things to complain about.  

Just today on the way to work:  I woke up late, and ran outside to a gray and overcast rainy morning.  I got caught behind a Sunday driver and had another car pull right out in front of me.  I seemed to catch every red light on the way to work.  I will go home to kids who are noisy and will demand my attention and I will go to bed without much fanfare or celebration for anything that I tried to accomplish today.  

But on the other hand...

I woke up this morning. I have legs to carry me where I want to go.  The clouds and overcast sky allowed my eyes to adjust more slowly than if there had been bright sun.  I have a  car to drive to work, in fact I have two.  I have a job that I can be late too without getting to much of a scolding from my boss and my brakes work on my car.  When I get home I am blessed to have children to go home to that love and adore me.  They want to spend time with their daddy.  Oh and I have a home to go home to.  My wife who loves me and supports me will be there to spend time doing the things that parents and spouses do.  And she is there for me every day.  

Are you seeing my point?  There will always be things to complain about.  There will always be things that don’t go the way we think they should and their will always be mundane things in life.  

But maybe we should learn not to focus on the negative and depressing.  Maybe we should focus on the many good things that God has blessed us with.  Maybe we should realize that we are far more blessed than we often realize.  

Today don’t dwell on the bad.  Instead soak in the good.  Change your perspective and embrace the day that the Lord has made.  Rejoice and be glad in it. 

What is important to you?  What are your treasures?

Not sure how to answer?

What you value most is your treasure.  On those things that you spend your time and your money are you treasures.  What you are known for by others is a good indication of what your treasures are.  Whatever dominates your conversation is what your treasures are.

If we looked at your Facebook page, might we find your treasures?  If we examined the walls, cabinets and counters in your home, might we understand what your treasures are?

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Luke 12:34

Many Christians are quick to claim God as their first priority.  Yet often their actions reveal that their treasure is not the things of God but rather the things of this world.  

Many Christians find it difficult to talk about God with others, but their conversations are constantly filled with chatter of friends, family and hobbies.

Some find it difficult to get up to go to spend time with God or even go to church, but they will willingly get up before dawn to pursue hobbies and interests.  

Many find it difficult to spend an hour in church but will take entire day to go tail-gating to a football game, fishing or shopping.

Some will spend lavishly on clothes, cars, and vacations but find they have no money to give to God.

Others will spend countless hours at good causes and volunteering but give no thought to giving time to God.

What about you?  If you are unsure what your treasure is, document where you spend your time and financial resources.  Be bold enough to ask others what they think your treasures are.  Ask your children or grandchildren to tell you what they think is important to you.  

Too scared to do that...Then ask God what He knows your treasures are.  Be courageous enough to ask him to take from you those things that come before the Lord if you are not willing to give them up yourself.