FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK

A company's sales lagged so badly that the sales manager called in his men. He asked each one what the trouble was. Everyone spoke about difficulties being encountered and gave reasons why it was hard to make sales. Finally, the manager put up a large sheet of white paper. "What do you see?" he asked, pointing to the paper on the wall.

"A sheet of white paper", came the correct reply. Then the manager took a black ink marker and placed a small black dot in the exact center of the paper and asked, "Now what do you see?" "A black spot" called out every man in the room. "That's the trouble. I see a black dot too. But the moment one black dot appeared you fixed your attention on that and failed to see all the clean, white space. In your work, you are concentrating on a few difficulties and are failing to see the wide possibilities."

You and I are like that. When the black dots of difficulty appear in our lives, we instantly focus our attention and energies upon them and fail to see the great blessings, privileges, and opportunities that are ours.

Worry and frustration over the black dots drag us down and hinder us physically, spiritually, and emotionally. And when we focus on the problems and difficulties and let them defeat us, it is because that was our choice. We can choose to focus on the black dot or we can choose to be grateful for the wide and wonderful mercies, grace, and gifts of God.

This is what Paul was talking about to the Philippians when he wrote: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer, and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Have the black dots of difficulties and distress become the focus of your life? If so, take those problems to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to forgive you for not trusting Him with them earlier. Give Him thanks for all the wonderful and glorious things He had done and is doing, and for the great and positive opportunities that are before you.

When you do that, notice what God promises to do. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6-7)

Let's take our focus off the negatives and with a positive faith move forward in gratitude to God for His faithfulness and goodness to us all.