Listen

The Lord’s Instruction is perfect, reviving one’s very being. The Lord’s laws are faithful, making naive people wise. The Lord’s regulations are right, gladdening the heart. The Lord’s commands are pure, giving light to the eyes.

Psalm 19:7-8

Think

Oof, having my whole being revived sounds so good. This year has had so much heart-sinking, disappointing, tiring, wisdom-testing stuff in it. And in that reviving, all God is asking: Will you give God the stuff that has been tearing you down?

I’ll take it! Revived being! Wisdom! Gladdened heart! Light to my eyes! That whole package!

So how do I give up all the stuff that’s weighing on me?

In short, by changing my thinking, which is a practice also known as meditating. We all meditate; we’re good at it at least in the negative… we think all the time about the one comment that broke us down and miss the ten that build us up.

So instead of meditating on tough stuff, I seek gratitude. I make lists of ways I’ve seen God’s perfection, God’s faithfulness. I give thanks to God for making pure that which has so often torn me down. And as light increases in my eyes, I share it – encouraging others who also need building up.

Brian Smith

Pray

God, I’m sorry when I’ve let things not going my way take my focus off of you. Help me today to meditate on the good things you have done, are doing, and will continue to do that I may learn your wisdom! Then, show me how to encourage others as you light up my eyes. Amen.

Go

Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

What one thought do you want to meditate on today to see more of God?

Who needs to hear an encouraging word from your mouth?