The apostle Paul shared his own personal experience in order to teach a lesson about contentment. He wrote, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content” (Phil. 4.11).

How’s your day going?

Just imagine being yelled at early in the morning, being talked down to, or perhaps bullied, at the beginning of your day. Can you now imagine just how these types of behavior might impact the rest of your day? Just imagine not feeling loved. Imagine seldom experiencing acts of kindness. Can you now imagine how your life, in general, might be?

On the other hand just imagine how your day, even your life, might feel if you were to be surrounded with love, kindness, encouraging words and good, positive things in general.

While we cannot prevent all negative things from coming into our life’s path, we can do some things to eliminate much of the unpleasant things of life.

1. We can strive to surround ourselves with the kind of people who display the characteristics that we would like to be surrounded with without shunning, or ignoring anyone who does not display good characteristics.
2. We can think on things that are good and positive. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Phil. 4.8).
3. We can display these same characteristics in our own lives as we interact with others.

I read, many years ago, the statement, “A better world begins with me.” Even though others may act ugly towards us, it is how we respond that will “make or break” our day. We who are “in Christ,” and strive to live according to godly principles of character, are more likely to have a better day and a happier life than those who do not.

So, the next time someone asks, ‘How’s you day?’ hopefully you will be able to answer, “I’m having a good day, thanks, and a great life as well – all because of a relationship with god through His beloved Son, Jesus Christ.”

[-Adapted, BTW]