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Prepare Your Heart

To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.

Read God’s Word

Genesis 23-24
Matthew 7:24-8:13

A Verse for Today

Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.

Genesis 24:1 (CSB): “Abraham was now old, getting on in years, and the LORD had blessed him in everything.”

Reflecting on God’s Word

Life isn’t merely what happens to you. Instead, it is much more about how you think about what happens to you.

For instance, both of the Old Testament men, Abraham and Jacob, had a lot of difficulties and tragedies in their lives. Yet, when Jacob was an old man standing before Pharoah, he didn’t talk about how blessed he was. Instead, he had clearly become a glass-half-empty old man.

Genesis 47:9 (CSB): “Jacob said to Pharaoh, ‘My pilgrimage has lasted 130 years. My years have been few and hard, and they have not reached the years of my ancestors during their pilgrimages.’”

God blessed Jacob with a growing family, possessions, protection, and more. As he stood before Pharoah, his son was at his side and second-in-command of the greatest world power. And yet his description of his life was: “Life has been short and hard.”

Good grief! A pagan Pharaoh was certainly not drawn to Jacob’s God after such negativity!

In the verse I have chosen for today, we also read that Abraham had lived a blessed life. Yet, we are also aware from the account of his life in Genesis that it had its share of trials and difficulties. So, how did he think about his life? Was he negative like his grandson, Jacob? Listen as Moses recounts Abraham’s attitude toward his life as he came to the point of death.

Genesis 25:7-8 (CSB): “This is the length of Abraham’s life: 175 years. He took his last breath and died at a good old age, old and contented, and he was gathered to his people.”

In other words, even though Abraham had gone through some lonely, difficult times, he was contented with the life God had given to him.

God blessed both of these men. However, one died a grumpy old man, and one came to his death filled with contentment.

So, let’s end with thinking about how we are fairing.

Has God blessed you, my friend? Assuredly, the answer is a resounding “yes!” If you have breath in your lungs, and if you are able to enjoy the refreshing sunshine each day and have at least enough food and shelter to provide for your needs, you are blessed. And if you have a relationship with the Lord Jesus, your blessings are off the chart!

This leads to the concluding question: Since you are so blessed, are you grumpy and discontented with the life God has written for you, or are you satisfied in Jesus, resting joyfully in His care and provision?

It’s not what happens to you in life; it’s how you think about what happens to you that makes all the difference.

Spend Time in Prayer

Lord Jesus, I’ve certainly had my bouts with trials and difficulties. There have even been times in my life when I felt like I would drown in my troubles. You know good and well that I have sometimes struggled with negativity when I think about it all. But You have sustained me and blessed me beyond measure. Help me always strive to be grateful and satisfied with the blessed life You have given me. I pray this in Your Name, Jesus, Amen.

Going Deeper

I love “Got Questions.” It’s a website, app, and podcast put together by conservative, serious-thinking, biblically-minded Christians. So, occasionally, I may add a link at the end of my articles with a link that I think would be helpful.

Check out this article from Got Questions: “How can I stop having negative thoughts?”

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Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com).