It is easy to get down, discouraged and even depressed when we look at a
negative situation and can't see any good coming from it. What we must
remember is that life is all about overcoming the challenges that come our
way. We can murmur and complain that our situation is so tough or we can
gird ourselves up and dig our heels in with determination that we will
come out of this situation better than we were before it. Our attitude
will dictate the outcome of our situation. We can yell at the darkness
and complain about how dark it is or we can light a match and illuminate
that situation. We must train ourselves to look on the bright side no
matter what we face in life. If it is a financial hardship, a health
crisis, a family situation or a personal trial that we are facing, we have
to tell ourselves that we are still blessed, favored and chosen by the
Lord to be triumphant in the end. We must enthuse ourselves in the
difficult times. We must remember where we were in times past and what
we've overcome throughout our life.

Remembering our triumphs encourages us in the difficult times. When we
recall what we've overcome, we become encouraged to face the trials with a
renewed determination and a renewed vigor. Be encouraged to look on the
bright side, see the good that is still enveloping your life and make an
extra effort to let God know that you are thankful that He is with you and
that your eyes of faith are focused on Him and not on your situation. A
simple quote I think upon often says “Don't tell God how big your problems
are, but rather tell your problems how big your God is.” I encourage you
again to focus on the good that is before you. See how fortunate you are.
Think upon your blessings and you will find your problems shrink by comparison.

I hope this message challenges your heart to focus on the bright side of
things when you're tempted to murmur and complain about the trials and
setbacks of life. By focusing on the good, you will be blessing your own
future.


FINDING THE FUNNY SIDE

How are you at finding the funny side of a situation? 

In America, each of the states likes to promote themselves with a slogan.
I currently live in Utah, where the slogan is “Life Elevated.” It's a nod
to outdoor recreation in the high country, including the ski industry. I
previously lived in Colorado, a land with red dirt, majestic mountains and
golden plains. The slogan there is “Colorful Colorado.” Years ago I lived
in the “Peach State” of Georgia, and I grew up in New Mexico, whose slogan
is “Land of Enchantment.”

New Mexico is a land of high, arid desert and it has a beauty of its own.
I have never seen a sunset as spectacular as one in the New Mexico desert.
The western sky can glow a brilliant orange behind red and purple clouds.

But this is also a country of wind, lots of it. A gritty wind can howl for
hours, and “dust devils” (funnel-shaped whirlwinds) will appear without notice.

We never seemed to get away from dust in New Mexico, so I appreciate the
story of a newcomer to the Land of Enchantment who learned about dusty
breezes. She was visiting an antique shop and the proprietor wiped down
every item before showing it. The newcomer said, “Everything gets dusty
here pretty quickly, doesn't it”

“That's not dust, honey,” the shop owner replied. “That's ENCHANTMENT.”

Here was a person who took a negative and turned it into something
humorous. That made the problem more palatable - easier to swallow, or at
least live with. And face it. There are some things, like the weather, we
can't change. All we can change is our attitude toward them. I believe one
of the best techniques to do this is to find some humor in the situation.
Finding the funny side of a difficulty, an irritation or a troublesome
problem can be one of the most creative and effective things we can do.

A Hong Kong shopping center manager was informed that an escalator broke.
He posted a sign to warn customers. He opted not to use the traditional
“Out of Order” or “Do Not Use” warnings. Instead, his sign read, “This
Escalator Is Temporarily a Stairway.” He turned a minus into humor and
made it a plus. Sometimes the only sense you can make of a situation is a
sense of humor.

How are you at finding the funny side?

By Steve Goodier


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Psalm 20:6-9 “Now know I that the LORD saveth His anointed; He will hear 
him from His Holy Heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some
trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of 
the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and
stand upright. Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.”

James 1:2-5 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers
temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire,
wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that
giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

Psalm 23:1-4 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to
lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He 
restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His 
name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they 
comfort me.”

Psalm 37:23-26 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He
delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:
for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand. I have been young, and now am 
old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging 
bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.”

Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun
a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.


Today's Selected Poem: THE PROMISE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem182.htm

Today's Selected Testimony: GOD WILL NEVER LEAVE OUR SIDE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony52.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry