SCRIPTURE READING: 1 SAMUEL 17: 1-53
FOCUS: “34. And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: 35. And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.” (1 Samuel 17: 34-35)
MEMORY VERSE: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (Proverbs 18: 21)
In our Focal Scripture, David speaks of how the lion and the bear came after his sheep. These were the same sheep that Eliab described as “few sheep in the wilderness” (see vs. 28). Eliab’s narrative seemed to belittle the sheep, but David told the tale of his victory. He didn’t mention how few his sheep were. He didn’t mention if he was injured by the lion and bear. David announced his victory. He focused on the positives.
Friend, glean some wisdom from David: focus on the positives. Even if you have encountered the ‘lion and the bear’, continue to speak of the victories that God has granted you. Focus on the positive parts of your journey. Focus on your success. Focus on your progress. Focus on the better person you have become. Focus on the lessons you learnt during your journey. Focus on who you have become and not necessarily what happened to you.
Make a commitment to ignore the negatives and focus on the positives. Focus on what is working. Focus on the little successes you have made. Focus on the little things. See big things in the small things around you. See joy in places where others think there is pain. Focus on the good things you experienced before, no matter how imperfect they are. Focus on the wins and leave the losses. Focus on what is positive and leave the negative.
David’s speech was laced with the positives in the wilderness. He spoke excitedly even when he knew that he had lions and bears to contend with. Focusing on the positives does not mean that there is nothing negative to focus on. Focusing on the positives does not mean that you have everything all figured out. Focusing on the positives will drown your fears and boost your faith. Focusing on the positives will keep your mind positive.
Don’t allow your speech to be dominated by negativity. Stop advertising negativity. Ignore the negatives. Focus on the positives.
FURTHER READING: PROVERBS 18
DECLARATION:
- I keep my eyes on what works; whatever is not working will not hinder me, in Jesus’ name!
