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 Maintaining a Christ-centered Mindset (May 4, 2023)

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
Given the fact that the way we speak and behave originates in our minds, a positive attitude is one of the most powerful assets that we can cultivate. We all know how much more pleasant it is to be in the company of an upbeat, positive person as opposed to one mired in negativity and complaint. A positive attitude acts like a magnet that attracts like-minded people, producing peace and harmony. Given the frustrations, heartaches, and trials that life in an ever-changing world brings, however, it is often difficult to be optimistic and maintain a positive frame of mind.
Negativity should be foreign to the thinking of Christians who love and seek to serve God! After all, we have the LORD’s promise that He is working all things to our ultimate benefit. And we have the assurance of abundant and everlasting life, God’s gift to sinners saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Occasional lapses into negative thinking caused by worry, fear, and doubt can be corrected by simply shifting our mental focus from life’s shifting circumstances to the everlasting hope that we have because Christ died to free us from the penalty of our sins.
By re-centering our minds on Christ, our Savior, the light of optimism, temporarily blocked by our negative thoughts, begins to flood our hearts and fill our spirits. Transcending our circumstances, the unspeakable joy that comes only through a personal relationship with Jesus returns in abundance and our positive outlook is restored. So when a negative mindset threatens to manifest itself in our words and actions, let’s remember that we are dearly loved by Jesus in whom we have victory over a strife-torn world and an eternal home reserved in heaven.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:4-7)




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