How you can experience a joy-filled life

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”— Matthew 7:11

As a minister was addressing a group of men one day, he took a large piece of paper and made a black dot in the center of it with a permanent pen. Then he held the paper up before the group and asked them what they saw. One person quickly replied, “I see a black mark.”

“Right! Do you see anything other than the dot?” he asked. The men shook their heads no.

“I’m really surprised,” the speaker commented. “You have completely overlooked the most important thing of all—the sheet of paper.”

Then he made the application. He said that in life we are often distracted by small, dot-like disappointments and are prone to forget the blessings we receive from the Lord. But like the sheet of paper, the good things are far more important than the adversities that consume us.

Many people spend so much time concentrating on the trials of life. But instead, we should fix our attention upon God’s blessings. Make it a point today to thank God for all He’s done in your life and let His joy fill you!

Prayer Challenge

Thank God for all the blessings He’s given you in your life. Pray that you’d never let past pain influence you more than God’s grace.

Questions for thought

What are some of the wonderful blessings God’s given you in your life to this point?

How might your outlook on life change if you focused more on God’s blessings than on negative experiences?