Morning Devotional
September 10, 2003
"An Attitude of Praise"  
by Don Emmitte

I have plenty to boast about and would be no fool in doing it, because I would be telling the truth. But I won't do it. I don't want anyone to think more highly of me than what they can actually see in my life and my message, even though I have received wonderful revelations from God. But to keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:6-10 NLT).

We have all said or done things that we regret later. Usually it's not the situation that has changed, but our perspective. Time passes, and we see things differently. It happens to everyone. The following are actual headlines that have been printed in newspapers. The editors who wrote these headlines would probably change their words after looking at them from a different perspective.

  •   "Iraqi Head Seeks Arms"
  •   "Police Begin Campaign To Run Down Jaywalkers"
  •   "Drunk Gets Nine Months In Violin Case"
  •   "Enraged Cow Injures Farmer With Ax"
  •   "Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim"
  •   "Killer Sentenced To Die For Second Time In 10 Years"
  •   "If Strike Is Not Settled Quickly, It May Last A While"
  •   "Red Tape Holds Up New Bridge"
  •   "Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery, Hundreds Dead"
  •   "Man Struck By Lightning Faces Battery Charge"
  •   "Kids Make Nutritious Snack"
  •   "Local High School Drop Out Cut In Half"
  •   "New Vaccine May Contain Rabies"
  •   "Man Minus Ear Waives Hearing"
  •   "Include Your Children When Baking Cookies"
  •   "Something Went Wrong In Jet Crash, Expert Says"

The writers of those headlines would probably choose different words today. There has been no change in the underlying story being reported. They just have a different perspective now. Much of life depends on your perspective. Virgil, the great Roman poet, said around 45 BC that "They conquer who believe they can." This makes an important point out of a basic truth; your perspective can help decide your fate. So think about your perspective. Like the Apostle Paul in our reading today. Develop an attitude of praise in your circumstance. That is the secret to contentment.