I think every person alive has a battle. Some are so much worse than others, but everyone has one. (or more) The question then becomes, “How is the battle best fought and won?” Years ago, I read that in many cases, fighting a battle is not so much about fighting the darkness, as it is about turning on the light.” That was a great help to me. But turning on the light is not that easy. How does one turn on the light?
I remember that old phrase, garbage in, garbage out. You can apply that all sorts of ways, but it can apply to the mind and heart. And since that is where our battles are mostly fought, it matters what our focus is on. This world is so broken and there is so much wrong, but there are still vestiges of good. It is important to look for them and focus on them. And it can become fun…kind of like a treasure hunt. Even the worst of people was created in the image of God and was not meant to be what they have become…and if you look hard enough, you will find a little treasure amidst the filth. We need to apply that technique of looking for the good. And when we do, it will help our own battle.
It helps, when I am really struggling, to focus on who God says He is. Not on what I think He is. I make him small and a small God cannot help me. But He is not small. When I focus on who He really is, there is hope and light. His Word says that He is love. He is light. He is truth. He is the one who has given EVERY good gift. Good food. Good music. Great art. Beautiful sunrises. Colorful birds and bugs. My children. A good night’s sleep. The ability to hop on one foot (which I am losing) Whatever is good, I need to thank Him for it. And that act of thankfulness, in itself, seems to help. And by being thankful, we add to the good in the world.
Matthew 6:22 says “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.” So I am going to keep trying to adjust my focus and put more of my attention on what is uplifting. The beautiful things of this world…the mountains….a trout filled river….sunset at the beach…..they are meant to point us to God. The and vastness of the universe and the infinite complexity of the smallest cell….they point us to a creator. How in the world we have come to believe so many lies and ignore what is right before our faces is quite amazing. But in focusing on truth there is healing and health and victory for whatever battle we face.
You make me remember how blessed I am, how much I take for granted. Yes, we need to look at positive gifts from our heavenly Father! He is light, love, and Creator of it all. Thank you for sharing, my friend!!