An Attitude of Praise

Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:6-10 ESV). 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 about 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.