![Check out our instagram feed instagram](https://dunndealpublications.com/wp-content/plugins/social-media-feather/synved-social/image/social/regular/96x96/instagram.png)
![Share on Facebook Facebook](https://dunndealpublications.com/wp-content/plugins/social-media-feather/synved-social/image/social/regular/96x96/facebook.png)
![Share on Twitter twitter](https://dunndealpublications.com/wp-content/plugins/social-media-feather/synved-social/image/social/regular/96x96/twitter.png)
![Share by email mail](https://dunndealpublications.com/wp-content/plugins/social-media-feather/synved-social/image/social/regular/96x96/mail.png)
By Dr. Dianne Coflin, Co-Pastor River of Life Church
Our perspective in life and how we view things is so important. We live in a society where especially in the last few years, from day to day, there is a foreboding of what is going to happen next. This fearful expectancy that something bad is going to happen, has accelerated because of continual reporting of bad news about every single negative event that the media can find. Don’t misunderstand, I realize there are bad events happening all over the world. When there is never a report of something good, and you listen day in and day out to the media, your mind will lead you to feelings of increasing hopelessness and despair. I want to challenge you to break free of any incessant behavior to keep up with the news media!
You might ask, why is that important? If your habit of listening to negativity continues about rumors of famine, high costs, supply shortages, impending wars, and hate, unfortunately, seeds of fear and anxiety about the future will be planted.
The Bible exhorts us not to take anxious thoughts. In Matthew 6:25-27 (AMP.) Jesus began by saying, “Therefore, I tell you stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink; or about your body, what shall you put on. Is not life greater (in quality) than food and the body (far above and more excellent) than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure (cubit) to his stature or to the span of your life?”
Clearly, the Lord wants us free from worry over such things about our life. He first challenges us to stop anxious thoughts that are producing uneasiness and fear. Did you know we can control what we think about, and what we listen to? Could what we are hearing be causing perpetual anxiety? If so, we simply need to stop!
Secondly, He reminds us how He takes care of and feeds the birds of the air who neither plant nor harvest or store food in barns. He wants you to know how you are so much more valuable to Him than they are. He loved you so much He gave His life for you through the Lord Jesus Christ, his Son that whoever would believe in Him would have eternal life. (John 3:16) What a wonderful reminder of our value!
Thirdly, He reminds us that worrying in and of itself will not change anything in our lives. Seriously, do an inventory of your thought life and what you feed your mind upon, could it have some bearing on whether you see the glass half full or half empty?
I want to close with this scripture, giving you food for thought!
Philippians 4:6-8(NLT) “Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thought. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
Paul exhorts us in his summation of this chapter to practice doing this. God’s desire to bring peace is dependent on our surrender to do it His way. Practice makes perfect as the saying goes and making a few adjustments could change your outlook on life!
The events in this world may be challenging to hear about. However, we have a choice to surrender our concerns to God in prayer and allow our negative thoughts to be re-placed with positive ones. I guarantee you can change your outlook when you have cast the whole of your care upon the Lord, because He cares for you! Maybe that glass can be half full again!!
Dr. Dianne Coflin -Co Pastor River of Life Church. We would love to have you visit – 410 East Chapman Rd., Lutz, Florida. Sunday Services are 10:30 am and Wednesday 7:00pm, childcare provided. We look forward to seeing you!!
![Check out our instagram feed instagram](https://dunndealpublications.com/wp-content/plugins/social-media-feather/synved-social/image/social/regular/96x96/instagram.png)
![Share on Facebook Facebook](https://dunndealpublications.com/wp-content/plugins/social-media-feather/synved-social/image/social/regular/96x96/facebook.png)
![Share on Twitter twitter](https://dunndealpublications.com/wp-content/plugins/social-media-feather/synved-social/image/social/regular/96x96/twitter.png)
![Share by email mail](https://dunndealpublications.com/wp-content/plugins/social-media-feather/synved-social/image/social/regular/96x96/mail.png)