Have you ever been struck down by this savage malaise?  I'm working hard to try to overcome a bout with this horrid disease!

I noticed it when I started to hear my children whining and complaining more than normal, using words that were shockingly reflective of things that I know have come out of my mouth.  And I was convicted.  I knew from whence this deadly illness had come--it had begun with me!

I guess I'm not the only one who occasionally suffers with this dreaded illness--the Israelites sure had major problems with it during their 40-year journeys through the wilderness.  Unfortunately, the knowledge that I'm not alone in this isn't very comforting.

Once you're struck with this ailment, it's not always easy to get over, especially if it has taken a while to discover the diagnosis.  You become accustomed to complaining, and get into the habit of looking at everything through a negative lens.  I recognized it a short time ago, but have still found myself seeming to wallow hopelessly in the muck and mire of my own lousy attitude.  Yes, I really struggled this time to get out, even after I recognized the problem.

What is the treatment?  A good strong dose of Romans 12:1-2: allowing the Holy Spirit to renew one's mind. 

A daily tablet of Philippians 4:8 goes a long way to both curing the ill, as well as preventing any future recurrence:

"Finally, my brothers (and sisters), whatever is true, whatever is honest, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, and whatever is praiseworthy, think about such things."

I decided to take a healthy dose of the above, and, as I went out today to run errands, I began thanking God for the time, energy and money to do them.  I enjoyed meandering through a surprisingly quiet and empty grocery store, selecting from a beautifully wide array of fresh fruits and vegetables and really fresh fish.  I was so pleasantly surprised to find no queue at the checkout, and no queue at the taxi stand. I was so thankful for the helpful taxi driver who got out of the taxi to help me to unload my shopping cart into the trunk of his car, and I enjoyed admiring the beautiful formations of the clouds in the sky as I rode home.  I wished the taxi driver to have a lovely day as I paid him, and chatted with my helper and children as we put away the groceries together. 

I am thanking God even now for helping me to begin the journey back to a healthy view of life through Christ-colored lenses.  Hopefully, this marks the beginning of the road to recovery for me... Have any of you been suffering from "stinkin' thinkin'" lately??

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