But I do remember one thing: Sunflowers face the sun and actually track the sun's position throughout the day.
 |
| A field of sunflowers at the farm John and I visited this Fall |
What if I also put this into practice, looking to the Light every day?
"Walk as children of the light (for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord." -Ephesians 5:8-10
When friends disappoint, work is discouraging, or expectations are unmet, it's my natural tendency to focus on the effect this has on me. I do not think we should ignore our emotions, and we need to acknowledge that pain and hurt are real. But our focus must first be on Him. I find myself less discouraged, less self-focused when I actively seek for things to be thankful for throughout the day and when I look to what I know is true: I am loved beyond measure; I am a daughter of a King.
I encourage you with this: "...Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." -Philippians 4:8
Yesterday Holley Gerth wrote a great blog post on "When Your Thoughts Try to get the Best of You," and isn't it so true that when you focus on negativity, everything appears darker? But when you look for the Light and dwell on "the good, the right, the true," then you tend to find it.
Be a sunflower today. Set your gaze on the Son and follow the Light.
Visiting from She Reads Truth, I absolutely love your words and will take the challenge of being a sunflower! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Rebecca Ann! I'm glad you could be encouraged to look toward what is good, right, and true... it's definitely a journey!
Deletethank you so much for this post.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Tammie, and thank you for stopping by!
DeleteI love this and totally agree. I so often do things backwards; I focus on my problems instead of fixing my eyes on Christ. Phil 4:8 is definitely one of my life verses!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sarah! I so often do the reverse of Phil. 4:8 too and have to remind myself to reorient to the truth. It's definitely a great life verse to have :)
DeleteA verse that I need to replay over and over is Phil 4:8. I wrote a blog similar to the one Holley Gerth wrote about focusing less on the negative which is so easier to do. I love your challenge and will never look at sunflowers the same again (wink). Blessings to you. Visiting from SDG.
ReplyDeleteDionne, thanks for stopping by! Phil. 4:8 is definitely one of those verses I need to commit to memory. I love that focusing less on the negative is important to you too.
Delete