The other day I was driving home, and saw a man repairing a fence. He was repairing someone’s backyard block wall that backed up against this busy street. Here in Phoenix almost all our backyards are fenced. And it seems to happen frequently, that some poor motorist drives through said wall and we are given partial views of someone’s patio and pool.
I was in the middle of three lanes when this happened and I thought my glimpse was for just a fraction of a second. Well, maybe it was a little longer than a fraction because the man looked like Mario on the Super Mario Brother’s game – complete with the hat and overalls. But the next thing I knew, my car was veering ever-so-slightly across the line and towards that man repairing the fence!
Thank the Lord there was no one on my right, or we would have given poor Mario even more to fix!
In an instant, I got an important lesson: Where my eyes go, the body follows.
It reminded me of a value I’ve held dear for many years, and that is to guard what I look at. Psalm 101:3 says it this way:
“I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away. It shall not fasten its grip on me.” (NASB)
While there is lots to stay away from, what would happen if we created a principle based on this verse, but using positive wording?
I will set worthwhile things before my eyes. I love the work of those who love You. May goodness fasten its grip on me.
When I was parenting younger children, I learned to say “Shut the door softly” rather than “Don’t slam the door.” Many times I respond better to a positive suggestion rather than someone telling me what not to do. How about you?
What might this look like in your life today? What worthwhile thing … or person … or idea … or belief … can you set before your eyes and heart today?
Where the eyes go, the body follows. I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you are reading this in an email, please click here to leave a comment.
Thanks for joining me today.
Love,
Glynnis
Boy, Glynnis, this is a toughie! Have been thinking lately about what I allow my eyes to drink in through television/Internet. Being a “church lady” means I don’t look at smutty stuff but the baubles of this world entice…clothes, furniture, backyard gardens, destination vacations…basically stuff that is subject to moth and rust. Struggling with where your treasure is your heart will go. Also, have been asking myself the question about whether a celebrity’s personal life style should decide, for me, whether or not I will watch their show, read their blog, etc. It comes down to personal integrity.Honestly, I don’t like the message of this post! Because I know deep down some of the things my eyes go to are causing me to veer of the path of God’s choosing. Thank you for keeping it real. Suzi
I’m right there with ya, Suzi! didn’t like this post AT ALL! Way too convicting! Been struggling with the idea of freedom in Christ, and not being legalistic, as opposed to eliminating anything I question as worthwhile. Balance in this area is hard for me – I’m an all-or-nothing girl. Thanks, Glynnis, for always reminding us of what’s really important.
I really enjoyed reading this post today and has me going back to something that has been on my heart lately related to positive suggestions in marriage. I am trying to avoid use the word “could” and replacing it with “would” when I am asking my husband for help with something. Using the would could can often question someone’s ability whereas would is more of a gentle request. Example: Could you take out the trash? It is easy to say this and even sound angry or frustrated. “Would you take out the trash?” This one softens the tone with an underlying expression of respect; afterall we are to respect our husbands are we not?
Simple great suggestion!
The idea of using positive words is so powerful…and effective at all stages and circumstances of our lives! I realize, though, that it will take a lot of practice to reframe my usual ways of expressing certain things. The soft door closing example was terrific…now if I can just keep that awareness in the front of my mind as I go about my day. Thanks, Glynnis!
My parents were great examples to us children growing up. They would almost always phrase their guidance by teaching us what we CAN do, rather than telling us what we can’t…and then explaining why what we were doing was not such a good choice. For example, “Let’s play in the back yard where it is safe, instead of in the street where the cars are driving by and might hit you…” This method taught me that they loved me and wanted what was best for me. Rather than feeling criticized for a bad choice, I felt so loved!
Also, one of my favorite sayings to my children now is: “Surround yourself with GREATNESS!” Look for good all around and purposefully place it in your life daily….and miracles happen. It’s so important to remember this especially when we want to eliminate something from our lives….we must replace it with something GREAT!
Thanks, Glynnis for providing another GREAT outlet for surrounding ourselves with GREAT thoughts and ideas, encouraging us to grow closer to Christ, to becoming more like Him. Thank you.
We can be positive or we can be negative. It’s another choice we have. Thanks for the focus on the positive. I really appreciate “close the door softly” and the comment by Bonnie about “could and would” and the respect it shows. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences and insights.
I wrote a blog about this very thing, inspired by
Philippians 4:8-9 ESV entitled “you are what you think”
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
We must guard our thoughts, and the main offensive strategy to achieving this end is holding ourselves and one another accountable for the things we watch, the books we read, the websites we visit etc… When we fill our minds & hearts with junk that doesn’t belong, it won’t be long until our bodies follow suit
Great Blog Today, by the way =)
I love every thing everyone is sharing today. How our minds can so deceive us. Another short saying I keep before me that helps me is “Where the mind goes the man follows”
Blessings to you all.
I so enjoy your postings! Our focus is where our mind and heart follows! God bless you and yours today! Praise the Lord for all who keep their eyes on HIM!
Thanks Glynnis for keeping things so worthwhile on your blog. I love all of your thoughts and they are always thought-provoking. I’ve really got to try to speak in a “half-full” kind of way instead of a negative way. One speaker I heard one time said to “sandwich” something that needs to be worked on in your children. For instance, instead of just saying what they need to work on. “Sandwich” your comment between two things that they do well. I need to put this into practice. Thank you Glynnis….
Your thoughts about seeking to focus on the positive will bring our body, soul and spirit into right alignment. As we walk in the spirit, we can discern the true, honest, pure, lovely, of good repute things to enjoy. Philippians 4:8 will be lived out in our daily living. We can grow in Christ and experience the enjoyment of living in Christ.
This brought to mind, how a racecar driver only looks where he wants to go. Rearview mirrors don’t belong in a race. Your eyes direct the car and tell it where to go.
Wow, that was powerful….and somewhat hard to hear….sometimes we put our eyes on so much “stuff” in the world, it’s hard to keep our eyes on the “straight and narrow”. Wanted to share this….just close your eyes and listen….http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p_t2sGfsQ8
Love the positive philosophy thoughts in your blog today. It reminded me of the time when my children were young and I had read about saying positive statements to get the kids to pick up items they had left around the house. I would say something like, ‘Look at the socks on the floor’ and the child who had left them there would pick them up and I didn’t have to ask. It worked 95 percent of the time with toys and clothing, etc. on the floor too.
A few hours ago, I returned home from doing errands and saw my neighbors planting flowers. Instead of going into the garage and then into the house, even though my “to do” list is long today, I decided to walk from the garage and go over to their house and tell them how beautiful the flowers were. My positive comments to them sparked a delightful conversation. When I mentioned I had just delivered homemade muffins for tomorrow’s Life Walk in our community, they immediately wanted to give me a donation for the walk. I didn’t even have to ask! God is good, and now the Women’s Center in our town will benefit just because I took the time to ‘eye’ something beautiful and make a positive response. Thanks, Glynnis, and all the other people who commented for your words of wisdom.
Where my eyes go the body follows…Probably because I’m trying to get back on track with healthy eating, this immediately brought me to thoughts of how I need to guard my eyes from looking at tempting foods. Watching a food show, thumbing through a magazine filled with rich food pix and recipes, and even the more obvious having high fat, high sugar, low nutrition foods in my fridge, freezer, cabinets readily before my eyes, grows my desire for them.
And my mouth, oh well, yes, this is definitely something that needs transformation. Love the idea of more positive language. Thanks!
Another source that really helped me with this was the book “The Proper Care And Feeding Of Husbands”. It gave me lots of food for thought on HOW I phrase things. I have been really struggling with positive thinking lately, and my husband challenged me that every time I am attacked or find a negative, try to list five things that were blessings that come from it. An example: I didn’t get the house clean today. Well, I spent time with The Word and with my kids and some friends and learned something new that I wouldn’t have had time to do if I had been cleaning. It is important to surround ourselves with positive people if we are going to remain positive ourselves. We are what we surround ourselves with, and that includes Godly people. Yes, we need to witness to the unsaved, but don’t allow ourselves to be dragged down with the ship. Scrape the dust from your sandals and move on.
The timing is so GOD. I’ve been under such oppression over the state of my home and really need victory over that. Thank you, ladies for keeping your spiritual ears close to His lips!