Accentuate the Positive

"Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." (Philippians 4.8,9)

"And we know that he works all things together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8.28)

"If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?….. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8.31-32, 35-39)

Be thankful. Gratitude produces contentment in all conditions and it places a bridle on all one's desires. It checks gloom, destroys envy and it returns with blessings on the head. We taste sweetness of a gift twice over when we are grateful for it.— Dr.H.Lockyer

"See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearances of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly … Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." (1 Thessalonians 5.18-24)

"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting to one another in the fear of God." (Ephesians 5. 20-21)

"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." (Genesis 50. 20)

"Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, and said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1.20,21)

If anyone would tell you the shortest, surest way to all happiness and to all perfection, he must tell you to make a rule to yourself, to thank and praise God for everything that happens to you. For whatever seeming calamity happens to you, if you thank for it, you turn it into a blessing. ‑ William Law

Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee;

Take my eyes and let them see everything as seen by thee.

Take my ears and let them hear thy voice speaking everywhere

Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love;

Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for thee.

Take my voice and let me sing always, only, for my king;

Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from thee.

Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold

Take my intellect, and use every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it thine; it shall be no longer mine:

Take my heart, it is thine own, it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour at thy feet its treasure store

Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee.

F.R.Havergal (extended in line 2.

Love absorbs trouble and distils kindness, is contented, lowly, self-effacing, well-behaved, outgoing, self-controlled, forgiving and forgetting, enjoying goodness, covering up for any and all, taking everyone at face value, always optimistic, willing to be on the bottom rung, persevering to the last, always succeeds. After Paul in 1 Corinthians 13. 4-8

"Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations of the age of the ages". Ephesians 3.20,21

Teach me, O God, so to use all the circumstances of life that they may bring forth in me the fruits of holiness rather than the fruits of sin.