Appreciate your time in the desert

"That all that is true, all that is honorable, all that is righteous, all that is pure, all that is lovable, all that deserves approval, that which is virtuous and worthy of praise, is The object of your thoughts." Philippians 4.8

What are the attitudes that annoy you in others? I bet that several ideas come to mind at this very moment.

Human nature, if it is not disciplined and controlled by the Holy Spirit, will always lean toward the negative.

Once out of Egypt, the Israelites began to murmur and complain. They did not like the way Moses led them. They had had enough of the manna. In fact, they wanted to return to Egypt, where they had been forced to work long hours under the sun.

The Israelites thought that it was their enemies who prevented them from entering the Promised Land. But Scripture shows us that their long wanderings in the desert were due to their own attitude (Numbers 11). If they had been positive, everything would have been different.

Think back to some of the gifts of God that made you so happy at the time you received them - the baby you had prayed for, the spouse you were calling for, the promotion that had asked you so much work. Perhaps it is of these same things that you complain today!

Human nature, if it is not disciplined and controlled by the Holy Spirit, will always lean toward the negative. Recriminations always come naturally, but it takes a lot of faith and effort to keep a grateful attitude.

Enjoy your time in the desert. This statement may seem strange to you, but I think we must learn to appreciate our trials better, because they are the ones who make us grow in the image of Christ. You see, in times of difficulty, we tend to feel more about the closeness and power of God in our lives. It is in those times that we really learn to know him.

Complaints are an open door to the devil. We must learn to thank God in all circumstances. Count the blessings of God to you and bear witness.

Talk about your deliverances. Remember the manna he gave you last week, the resurrections you have experienced in your life. I'm not telling you it will be easy. It is much simpler to invent excuses or to lament us because the situation does not seem to us right. The key to a positive attitude is to say continually to God : "Lord, I trust you and I am convinced that you will make all things contribute to my good."

If you happen to be grateful in all situations, to truly believe that God will change them into good, you will have victory every time.

Action for Today

We have His promise that if we fulfill these three simple conditions - if we continue to pray, love and desire His will - everything will concur in our good (Romans 8:28). Enjoy your time in the desert and enjoy it to get to know God better.

Joyce Meyer

Source (The Thought of the Day)