Looking at the glass half full

"Hold on to the good ~ avoid every kind of evil" - 1st Thessalonians 5:21,22

I passed this verse this week and it reminded of something the Lord showed me awhile back.
In our "unique" missionary lifestyle we have done a lot of moving. I have had many conversations with people about living overseas and it seems like the one thing that comes naturally to us all is the ability to be negative. It is way to easy to see all the things we don't like.
So at one point I felt the Lord speak to me and say "Concentrate on the good and ignore the bad". I don't mean ignore sin, I am simply referring to cultural annoyances.
During our first year in China I had to actually write out a list of things that I liked about living here - and trust me, I had to look with creative eyes at that point to make any kind of list. I don't remember the complete list but I do remember a few things. It was something like this -
Chinese people are good at
1. Doing nails
2. Cooking fish
3. Taking pictures
4. Dressing warm

If I wrote out a list tonight about things I love in China it would be incredibly long as I have grown to love this place more and more.

As believers I believe being positive is part of our calling. We are commanded over and over to give thanks continually. God would never have asked us to do this if it weren't possible. Granted there are seasons where this is far hader to do but Paul said the secret to being content is the strength of the Lord. We need His eyes to live with hope. 

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:10-13)

When we choose to make being thankful a habit we also benefit. A cheerful heart is good medicine.

 Several weeks ago our son had to get a surgery here in Harbin. The care is not top notch and it was very stressful! After one of my "shifts" at the hospital I remember walking home and just saying outloud everything that I was thankful for. Thank you Lord that we caught this in time, thank you Lord that the Dr. was nice, thank you Lord that even though the hospital told us there were no beds, we eventually got one. There was a war inside me though. My mind was saying - Why did this have to happen while we were here and not in the states? Why does this stupid country not believe in giving pain meds to my hurting little boy? Why do we not own a car like other people so we do not have to hail a taxi with a son in terrible pain? Those questions went on and on but when I fought those thoughts by choosing to look at God's hand on us I felt stronger.

Christians do not have the luxury of seeing the glass half empty. I do not mean to imply we need to be fake. If we are not happy we can be honest with the Lord. I simply mean that we can not live in a place where we allow negativity to rule our thinking and blame it on things like our "personality". We can create good habits or bad habits and living with a thankful heart is something we must choose to do.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy-keep thinking about these things.