Thinking Positively

So lately I've really been working on having a positive outlook. This isn't too far of a stretch because I'm generally a glass half full type of person, but lately I've been stressing about things that I don't need to stress about. Noticing that my mind was going places I didn't want it to go, I wanted to nip it in the bud. For me one of the best ways to do that is to control what comes in; books, tv, movies, conversations. All of these play a part in where I allow my mind to go. A verse that I memorized a long time ago (it was displayed in my best friends bathroom when I was a teenager, made it so easy to memorize!) always comes to mind when I'm struggling with my thoughts.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, 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.

How much different would our day to day life look if we consciously made the effort to only think on those things. How many tv shows, movies or books would this cut out if used this verse to decide what you were allowing in your mind? How often do we think worst case scenario's or dwell on how others have hurt us? Surely this colors our outlook on life. One of the girls I work with goes a step further and makes sure you are only speaking good into others lives. This applies to your own as well. How much more positive your life would be if your words are words of affirmation and not degradation.

Psalm 126:2
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."

When people see the words that come from my lips may they be able to say "The Lord has done great things for Kristi" He surely has; let my actions, reactions, words and thoughts attest to this.