Devotionals

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“Who says you’re right?” Ever have that thrown in your face? That’s a common variation on, “Don’t tell me what to think!”
Elwood P. Dowd, in the movie Harvey, said, “Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, ‘In this world, Elwood, you must be’—she always called me Elwood—‘In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant.’ Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.”
Elwood’s Mom may not have been a Harvard psychologist or TV talk show host, but in her innocence she did hit on a valuable precept: attitude makes a big difference. And attitude is the result of how one thinks.
In a recent episode of TV’s Everybody Loves Raymond, Ray touted his pessimism as his preferred outlook on life. When his wife asked if he was happy being miserable, he responded “Yes,” apparently unaware of the irony.
I have to admit that I tend to be pessimistic. Actually, I prefer the term optimistically pessimistic: I’m positive things will go wrong! The glass is not half empty—there is no glass. The pessimist should always be happy: when things go right, he is pleas-antly surprised, and when things go wrong, he is never disappointed!
Nobody likes to be told what to think, but everyone needs to be taught how to think—sometimes, to think at all! On occasion, most of us need someone to tell us what to do. Have you ever said to someone, “Where were you back then when I needed guidance”?
The Bible has a lot to say about the way we think. How we think affects not only our attitudes, but it affects our health, our relationships, and, ultimately, our eternal destination.
Modern medical research (and our own personal experience) has frequently validated the Bible’s ancient wisdom: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). A genuine positive attitude has carried many people through difficult injuries and illnesses beyond doctors’ ex-pectations.
Our attitudes affect those around us. When the 12 spies returned from searching the land of Canaan (Numbers 13 , 14), ten of them infected the congregation with their fears and pessimism, while two expressed confidence in the Lord. Needless to say, the two who listened to the Lord were the only ones who survived.
When we don’t care to listen to someone’s advice, remember Proverbs 12:15: “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.” And, when you think about it, who doesn’t seek advice from a doctor or lawyer or friend or mechanic at times? When we want to get a sense of future events, we ask someone who has, in a way, been there through a similar experience.
When it comes to eternal issues, man tends to draw the line and suddenly becomes a “free thinker.” However, God warns: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 16:25). Jesus Christ has been through every-thing we have, and has experienced death and resurrection. It is wise to trust the words of one who has been where we are headed.
Our way of thinking affects our values and morals: “To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted” (Titus 1:15).
The true path to happiness is to think the right way. Here’s how:
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any dou-ble-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
“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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8, 9). This is the biblical version of a silver lining—glass half-full—happy dust.

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