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Gratituesday: Focusing on the Positive

November 14, 2011 by Laura 32 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

Today was a great day! Matt and the boys spent the afternoon raking leaves for an elderly lady. I got a wonderful, encouraging phone call from a friend. I was able to get a lot of work done on the Gift in a Jar eBook. We’re making plans for a visit with far-away cousins at Christmas time.

Why is it then, even though there are many, many positives in my life, I find that it can still be easier to focus on the negative? Another marriage is in crisis. Our friend is going through radiation. My house can’t stay clean for longer than two minutes. The potatoes boiled over again, making the kitchen smoke and stink. I’m tripping over the jackets that didn’t get put away.

Instead of focusing on the delights on my life, this is instead where my thoughts dwell.

So I repent, and work to recall the joys that fill my life.

My life is full of blessing. By focusing my heart on the positive, I am better able to minister to others, meet the needs of my family, and even cheerfully clean the crusty mess on my stovetop.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians  4:8

Share how God is working in your life on your blog, then come link up with us here. If you don’t have a blog, be sure to leave a comment letting us know what you’re grateful for!

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Filed Under: Gratituesday Tagged With: grateful, Gratituesday, thankful

Comments

  1. Sara says

    November 14, 2011 at 10:11 pm

    Thank you! Sometimes this reminder is soooo needed. Today I will work on being grateful for my amazing little monsters, our messes, and my husbands employment. :)

    Reply
  2. It Feels Like Chaos says

    November 14, 2011 at 10:28 pm

    Love this post! And mine is also about trying to focus on the blessing, instead of the mess!

    Reply
  3. Janelle Tyler says

    November 14, 2011 at 10:54 pm

    Yes, I need the reminder to focus on the blessings, takes practice! But thank you sooooooo much for sharing the negatives today too. It is very encouraging to know that someone else, someone I admire, is also tripping over the jackets that didn’t get hung up, again, to catch the pot boiling over on the stove. Thank you! Helps me to chuckle at myself and realize I’m okay, stinky kitchen and all.

    Reply
  4. Jill Roper says

    November 15, 2011 at 4:45 am

    Today I am thankful for outhouses. Yep, how could anyone be thankful for outhouses you ask? Well come over and read about my adventure.

    Thank you Laura for the reminder that it is so easy to be dragged down by negative thoughts. I struggle mightily in this area right now. I am challenging myself to do better today.
    God Bless,
    Jill

    Reply
  5. Katie @ This Chick Cooks says

    November 15, 2011 at 5:13 am

    I’m thankful for great blogs like yours that remind me to be greatful for the many blessings I have. Thanks for your great post :)

    Reply
  6. Pary Moppins says

    November 15, 2011 at 5:37 am

    I love that verse.

    Reply
  7. Bev @ The Make Your Own Zone says

    November 15, 2011 at 5:38 am

    I try to remember the good old fashioned advice of “Count Your Blessings” to help me focus on all the good things that I have to be grateful for!

    Reply
  8. Amy Bradsher says

    November 15, 2011 at 6:07 am

    So, so true!

    Reply
  9. DorthyM says

    November 15, 2011 at 6:39 am

    I so needed this reminder this week! I’ve had the grouchies for a few days now, and I don’t like myself when I’m in that mood. Thank you for this post.

    Reply
  10. Julie says

    November 15, 2011 at 6:40 am

    Always love your posts and your giveaways. Would love to win this e book.

    Reply
  11. Alicia says

    November 15, 2011 at 7:03 am

    Why do we do that to ourselves? I once told my husband that on a really bad day (when the kids seem to be RIGHT behind me mess-making as I clean) that I directly correlate his love for me with his ability to put his stuff away. Haha! Love the scripture you shared :)

    Reply
  12. Beth @ Turn 2 the Simple says

    November 15, 2011 at 8:09 am

    I agree! Focus on God’s blessings, not on the insignificant details.

    Reply
  13. Katherie says

    November 15, 2011 at 8:49 am

    I so agree that I need to be in an attitude of praise more :)
    I would love that e-book. I try to do as many things as I can naturally for my children.

    Reply
  14. Charlotte Moore says

    November 15, 2011 at 8:49 am

    I guess it is just that ole human nature that is so hard to keep in line. I am sure we all fall short when it comes to being grateful for all the LORD does for us. Without HIM where would we be?

    Reply
  15. Heather @ Nourishing the Heart says

    November 15, 2011 at 8:54 am

    It’s always so much easier to focus on the negatives! I need to keep my 4 year old’s perspective. Our tv color broke this weekend. My son is so excited about that because now everything is a tint of green – his favorite color!

    Reply
  16. Lori Waugh says

    November 15, 2011 at 8:55 am

    This post is SO where my mind has been for the past few days. I’ve made up my mind to at least TRY to put every problem – whether it be an object or a person – on SATAN. I’m trying to focus my attention on him and the darts he tries to throw at me or in my path so that it doesn’t beat me down and keep me from doing what God would want me to do. It’s hard some times to do that, but I think little by little, it is working. When I focus the negative on him and the positive on God, I am beginning to think more positively. I certainly don’t want to waste my thoughts on Satan!

    Reply
  17. Gracie says

    November 15, 2011 at 9:00 am

    I posted about this as well today – something I have been talking a lot about with my friends these days. Being positive is essential!

    Reply
  18. allie bruski says

    November 15, 2011 at 9:14 am

    Great post, me too. I am always boiling things over too lol!! :) your new friend the crock pot has been helping me with this. (ie last week I cooked my potatoes in there)

    Reply
  19. Kylie says

    November 15, 2011 at 9:26 am

    I ALWAYS have to remind myself to focus on the positive. Some days are definitely harder than others.

    I linked up my post about family and forgiveness.

    Reply
  20. Amber Rogers says

    November 15, 2011 at 9:47 am

    My praise today is for new baby Quinn. He was born on Nov. 7th. He came three weeks early, but no troubles. I was fretting through this pregnancy, thinking, how can I manage an eighth child, when the oldest is only twelve, keep homeschooloing, making my own whole foods from scratch, keeping the house pridefully perfect, etc. Then, they put the baby in my arms, and I thought, who cares? He is SO cute! So what if we eat nothing but fruit loops and pb&j for a while, or that the sum of our education from now to Christmas equals flashcards and audiobooks. I have a healthy beautiful reward from God. Yippee!

    Reply
    • allie bruski says

      November 15, 2011 at 7:42 pm

      Awwww!! :)

      Reply
  21. Jennifer says

    November 15, 2011 at 10:08 am

    Wow! This verse has been coming up a lot in my bible studies the past few days! Coincidence? I think not!

    Reply
  22. Shani says

    November 15, 2011 at 11:43 am

    Oh, this is so convicting right now for me, Laura. Thank you for sharing this and putting it right in my face. Off to clean *my* crusty stovetop from the same problem and count my blessings.

    God Bless! xxx

    Reply
  23. Faith says

    November 15, 2011 at 11:55 am

    I was just reading that passage in Philippians the other day in my devotions and your thoughts on it make me want to remember to live it out even more. I am like you and always find it easier to focus on the negative while forgetting all the blessings God has given me! But like I tell my daughter, that God wants us to be full of joy, and we can only do that when we choose to focus on what Philippians talks about and not what we don’t have that we want. Thanks so much for the encouragement Laura! Have a blessed day!!

    Reply
  24. Linnea says

    November 15, 2011 at 12:34 pm

    I appreciate your perspective so much!

    Reply
  25. Kari says

    November 15, 2011 at 12:59 pm

    There’s a sign in our Family Room that says “Count Your Blessings”. It seems every time I walk past it, I’m in a negative mood. I’m glad I have that sign there to remind me to thank God for all the MANY blessings He’s given me!

    Great post!!

    Reply
  26. RuthAnn says

    November 15, 2011 at 1:02 pm

    I linked up with ya for the first time. Mine is about being thankful for food and family and friends. Thank you for sharing your joy with us.

    Reply
  27. Lisa @ Happy in Dole Valley says

    November 15, 2011 at 1:03 pm

    Funny how prone we are to focusing on the negatives rather than the abundant blessings we have. I wish it weren’t so, but I think it’s something we’re all guilty of.

    Today I’m sharing about the blessing of spending my day working together with my daughter at a holiday craft bazaar — so much fun!

    Thanks for hosting, ~Lisa

    Reply
  28. Deb says

    November 15, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    Soooo convicting. I read it right after dh left for work and I made his side of the bed, hung his towel in the right place, pulled across the shower curtain, pushed the scale back in place, put the cereal bowl in the dishwasher, pushed the chair in………..and instead of being thankful that he has a great job that he loves and allows me to stay home in a warm house, I was complaining under my breath about the less than 5 minutes worth of chores it takes to get him out the door. I am such a whiner! I needed this today and everyday…….

    Reply
  29. Suelyn says

    November 15, 2011 at 6:02 pm

    This e-book sounds great! I love trying to make almost everything that can be otherwise bought in the store. I would love to win a copy of it!! Thanks to your friend for offering the giveaway!

    Reply
  30. Rebecca says

    November 15, 2011 at 11:25 pm

    Thanks for giving us an opportunity to share our blessings!

    Reply
  31. Natalie says

    November 18, 2011 at 7:16 pm

    Focusing on the positive…
    My husband and I were both down with the stomach flu. I told him it was a lame day but he reminded me that we were able to snuggle on the couch for most of the day despite being sick! That was nice. I would definitely do that part of my day again.

    Reply

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