Shine Among Them

Philippians 2:14-16 (TLB) In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of people who are crooked and stubborn. Shine out among them like beacon lights, holding out to them the Word of Life.

Imagine going through a full 24 hours without complaining - better yet - imagine going through a full 24 hours without hearing a complaint from someone else. Yeah, what's that like? In this life, these days will only exist when we keep the phone and tv off, don't drive down major highways, don't glance at a billboard, don't talk to a neighbor - sound about right?

Regardless of how the world chooses to operate, complaining on social media, tv, fake news, billboards, advertisements, and so forth, we have the opportunity to be a light in the darkness. We can be a beacon of hope among the evil going on in the world. Sounds nice but how do we accomplish this? Each time we are tempted to voice a complaint - we don't allow the thought to go from our mind to our mouth. We put up a filter by deciding in our hearts that we will change our thoughts to match God's thoughts.

Rather than saying, "I will never get over this!" We can say, "Lord, I'm hurting right now, but You are my strength!" Rather than saying, "I'm worthless, I have nothing to offer." We can choose to say, "Lord, thank You that you are showing me the path of life and in You I will be full of joy regardless of my circumstances!" When our words are aligned with God's words, our perspective will change, our spirit will be lifted, and our worries will diminish. Following the path that He has set before us will open our eyes to a new way of living and the only regret will be not doing it sooner.

Psalm 18:1-3 (NLT) I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.

Psalm 16:11 (NKJV) You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy.