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Some years ago, I was driving through beautiful mountains.
The person with me lived in the mountains in which we were
traveling, and I asked, "What is it like to live in a beautiful
place?"
The answer surprised me, as he explained how he had got
used to living in the mountains -- he didn't pay attention
anymore.
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 Th. 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" (Jas. 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?
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