3 Easy Lessons for a "Fixed" Life

Today is the day that the Lord has made...I will rejoice and be glad in it!  Are we rejoicing?  Are we grateful for today?  I find myself convicted as I write this, sadly my ability to rejoice often relies on my circumstances.  Whether I am hungry or full, whether my house is clean or dirty, whether it's raining or sunny outside, whether my account is in the black or in the red, whether I'm tired or fully rested, whether, whether, weather!? You get the picture.  I'm sure you are not much different from me, you sleep the same way (with both eyes closed hopefully), breathe the same, live on the same earth, under the same moon and enjoy the same sun! 

Lesson #1: Dress in layers.  Start with Jesus.  I grew up in the Rocky Mountains, being Colorado born and raised, you learn early on that the weather is pretty unpredictable.  In fact, people joke about how you can experience ALL four seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter) in a single day.  It's important to dress in layers because although the forecast might predict a snow day with road closures and school cancellations in the morning, by noon, you can be sledding down the hills near your house wearing shorts and a t-shirt.  EXTREME? Yes!  If you're studying to be a meteorologist good luck predicting the weather in Colorful Colorado!  Predicting the weather is unpredictable.  Since we've transitioned to a more tropical climate, Zach and I receive up to date weather information any time it snows, or hits anywhere near or below 30 degrees in Colorado.  It's purely informational and not intended to make us feel bad one bit (smiling cause I'd probably do the same).
  

Photo courtesy of my BBFF

In life, we can get tossed around like a leaf blowing in the wind by external circumstances if we are not internally prepared.  As Christians, if we are not disciplined and intentional about clothing ourselves with the attitude of Christ we can and will reflect the attitude of the world around us.  Ephesians 4:24 "Yes, you must be a different person, holy and good.  Clothe yourself with this new nature."  

Lesson #2: Be YOU!  It's the highest compliment to your creator. 
Your perspective is ethnocentric by default. What I mean by that is, sometimes our perspective can get in the way of our ability to see things unbiased.  We all have a unique set of experiences, life circumstances, upbringings, strengths and weaknesses that have shaped us into the person we are today.  Although similarities can often unite us, they don't make up for the fact that we are all uniquely made.  Psalms 139:14 (NIV) "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful and I know that full well." When we fall into the trap of comparing our bloopers to other's Emmy nominations, it's unfair.  There is nothing more attractive than knowing who you are and "owning it." 

 Lesson #3: Fix your thoughts.  It'll fix your life!  Phillipians 4:8 "...Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right.  Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about."  I wonder how drastically our lives would change if we lived by this verse.  If we fixed our thoughts on the truth, the good things in this world, the things that are going right in our lives.  If you're anything like me, you tend to notice what's wrong in a picture before you acknowledge what's right.  

Here's a test to see if this is true for you, take a selfie...go on, do it. Then, tell me what's the first thing you notice? 

When something's broken, we must fix it but we can't always do it on our own.  If you don't already have someone in your life who you can trust to be honest with you and tell you when your thoughts are broken, it's imperative that you find that person and FAST! 

So whether the weather drastically changes or not, we can be ready for anything if we remember these 3 easy lessons:  Dress in Layers, Be YOU, and Fix your thoughts!