My dog Archie is very motivated by food. When he sees a treat or knows it is his time for dinner, all he can think about is getting the food he wants so badly. The food he sees is the only thing that he can focus on, and it dictates his behavior. He will whine and stare at me until I give him his food. He will also sit and do other tricks if he knows he will get food out of it. Archie's deep focus on his food and treats is a poignant reminder that even for humans, the things we focus on have a significant impact on us. Indeed, what we focus on has a profound impact. If we focus on what we do not have or the things we are disappointed about, we will complain and grumble. If we focus on God’s goodness and His gifts to us each day, we will experience peace and trust in Him and His good plans.
The apostle Paul wrote about the importance of focusing on God's goodness and His gifts in Philippians 4. In this passage of Scripture, he gave his readers a command: "Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! (verse 5). The word "always" indicates that there is never a time that we are not to be full of joy and rejoice in the Lord. Several verses later, Paul indicated one way we can be full of joy. He continued writing, "Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise" (verse 8). When we focus on these things that are gifts from God, it is impossible to also fall into an ungrateful attitude and spend our time complaining. God has been so good to us, and when we focus on His gifts, we can have gratitude instead of grumbling spirits.
The remarkable thing about Paul's words in Philippians 4 is that he wrote this book of the Bible in prison for preaching and teaching about Jesus. He could have focused on his difficult circumstances, but instead, he focused on God and His goodness. That is why he continued writing in Philippians 4, "I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength" (verses 12-13). Paul leaned on Christ’s strength and focused on His goodness, and found strength and joy in all circumstances. What an example he set for us to follow.
My friend, the things you choose to focus on truly do have an impact. You can focus on your difficulties and the disappointments around you, or you can focus on the gifts God gives you each day. May you choose to focus on God’s good gifts all around you and experience His joy and peace as a result.
Commit today to focusing on God’s goodness and His gifts. Pay attention to the gifts He blesses you with today. When you notice His good gifts, thank Him. This attitude will carry you throughout your day and lead to joy and gratitude instead of complaining.
1Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.
2 Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. 3 And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 14 Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.
15 As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. 16 Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. 17 I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.
18 At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
20 Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.
21 Give my greetings to each of God’s holy people—all who belong to Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you their greetings. 22 And all the rest of God’s people send you greetings, too, especially those in Caesar’s household.
23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
