A Devotional Thought
by Pastor Phil
Behavioral scientists have discovered that we usually see things that we are prepared to see. This is centered in a network of nerve cells called the "Reticular Activating System." Everybody has this system.
The "Reticular Activating System" works like this: Once something has been brought to our attention, and we have been prepared to see it, we’ll see it virtually everywhere we go.
For example, you decide to buy a new car. You make up your mind that you are going to buy a certain model and color. Now, you’ll see those cars everywhere.
What has happened? They were always there, but the moment you were prepared to see them, your Reticular Activating System kicked in, and suddenly you saw them everywhere.
It happens in other areas of life, too. We see what we are prepared to see. If we are prepared to see doom & gloom this year, then that’s what we’ll see. If, on the other hand, we have prepared ourselves to see sunshine & opportunities, then that’s what we are going to see.
The positives are all around us. The evidence of God actively at work is everywhere. How do we train ourselves to notice the positive, the work of God that brings us joy and encouragement, rather than the negatives that bring discouragement and gloom?
Paul said in Philippians 4:8
"Finally, brothers and sisters, 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."
There is plenty of bad to see on the news these days and it's good to be aware, but if we focus on it too much, we train ourselves to always be noticing the bad rather than the good. So, we focus on the true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable and praiseworthy.
That is why we have a Brighten Your Day, a Devotional, a Share You Art or quote, or verse, or recipe, or garden to help train your focus to notice the good, to notice the workings of God all around you.
If anything is excellent or praiseworthy—
think about such things!
