There are at least two ways to look at most every situation or circumstance. I know for me, it could be my own best thinking or I could find out God’s thoughts by reading the Bible. By the time you get to be my age there are many things to look back on that cause shame and embarrasment. I know I can look back on several things I’ve done that I’d prefer not to post here for the world to read. If I choose to focus on those issues and allow the guilt or shame to wash over my mind, to beat myself for failure I get depressed.
But if I choose to focus on what the Bible says, I read things like Psalm 139 that tells me God formed me while hidden in my mom’s womb. He wired me the way I am. I read verses like John 3:16 and Romans 5:8 that tell me that even though I have blown it royally He loved me enough to give His own Son to die in my place. I can read Romans 8 and know that God already determined that one day I’ll be like Jesus. In the mean time, He will use every thing life throws at me, the good the bad and the ugly to shape me to be like Him.
So, I get to choose whether I’ll live with my own stinkin thinkin or if I’ll believe what God says about me. One leads to despair, one to excitement about the future. Just thinking out loud and wondering why I don’t choose the latter more often???
Scott