Praiseworthy

As I was contemplating what to write today, I decided to share some praise reports and prayer requests. As I have had visitors, comments have been made about how positive I have been and how hard that must be. It's hard to explain that to others. Then I received this email from 'Women of Faith' and it seems to put it perfectly. I will still add praise and prayer requests to the end of the article.

Your Favorite Bad Feeling

Finally . . . 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. —Philippians 4:8 NIV

If we can’t control anything else in our lives, we can control what we think about. But when we have been buffeted by a situation that throws us, it is easy to abdicate our control and go to our “favorite bad feeling.” That’s the feeling we went to as a child because we learned that it helped us get what we wanted. Once you are an adult, you will find that it is the first place your mind rushes when there is something troubling on your mental radar screen.

Some of us cry, some pout, some sleep, some eat chocolate, some go shopping, some withdraw, and some slam doors, some clean house, some sit and stare. You could probably fill in your own favorite bad feeling. But you don’t have to respond that way, you can choose not to go there. Circumstances rarely change, but how you feel about the circumstances can change dramatically.

How you feel is up to you, not to anyone else in your life. Peace is the result of choosing to focus your mind on what is true and honorable and right. When you choose to do that, it is amazing how much peace will overtake your mind and heart.

—Jan Silvious

Excerpted from A Grand New Day © 2008 by Thomas Nelson. Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Praise:

• 1/2 way through my 2nd round of antibiotics and with slightly adjusted use of my inhaler, my wheezing and rattling are gone!
• Both kids have finished their 2nd round of antibiotics and are feeling well!
• Chad did NOT catch what the rest of us had!
• Dr. Salgia says we have a lot of options and he would like to treat aggressively.
• We have received a number of very generous and thoughtful gifts.

Prayer Requests:

• My sister is very sick. We miss each other but she can't come around until she is fever free. She needs rest.
• Our chemo class is today and treatment starts Thursday. Pray for good decisions from the dr.s, strength for my body, and courage for Chad.
• We need wisdom in handling paperwork for things like disability, social security, etc. Those things work differently for teachers so it is complicated.

Don't forget to make today count!