Pay Attention
Since that day, I've been
careful. I try to stay out of the trap of ignoring God's blessings. I try
to pay attention to the good things around me, and smell the roses. When
we are aware of God's blessings in our life, it helps us in many ways.
Be Thankful
When we stop and smell the
roses, we're reminded of God's blessings. We think about the good things
God is doing in our lives, rather than our troubles. We view life from a
glass-half-full perspective, rather than a glass-half-empty perspective.
Our thankfulness is then reflected in our prayers, as well as every aspect
of our life. We "rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything
give thanks" (1 Thes. 5:16-18).
Be Positive
A positive attitude results
from smelling the roses. If anyone had a reason to have a negative
attitude, it was the apostle Paul. He had been in prison, beaten,
scourged, beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked, and poor. But through all
this, he remained positive - he focused on good things rather than bad
things.
Paul had "learned
the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and
suffering need" (Phil. 4:12). "I can do all things through Him
who strengthens me," he proclaimed to the Philippians, and everyone
who observed his life (Phil. 4:13).Paul's attitude was, "God causes
all things to work together for good to those who love God" (Rom.
8:28). Paul knew that God used everything in his life for good, even when
suffering greatly for the cause of Christ.
Our challenge is to
believe in God, that He works all things together for good to those who
love Him - no matter what happens.
Enjoy Life
God is the One from whom
all our blessings come - "Every good thing given and every perfect
gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights" (Ja.
1:17). As the giver of all our blessings, God teaches us to enjoy them
while doing good - "Instruct those who are rich in this present world
not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but
on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to
do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share"
(1 Tim. 6:17-18).
Smell the
Roses
So we should stop and smell
the roses, paying attention to God's many blessings in our life. This will
help us be thankful and positive people, enjoying life as God's children.
When's the last time
you stopped and smelled the roses?
