Priority of Perspective

"Thank Me for the very things that are troubling you... It is impossible to thank Me and curse Me at the same time... Thankfulness awakens you to My Presence, which overshadows all your problems." (181)
The devo today mentions how we are tempted to indulge in complaining which will set the stage for "torrents of rage and self-pity." This makes much more sense to me after reading research on the way our brains work. Because the atmosphere of the brain is highly sensitive to the neuro-chemical climate of our thought patterns, the overall landscape of our mind will reflect the impact of our most-often-selected attitudes and thoughts. Choosing thankfulness over resentfulness makes a huge difference!
While reflecting on Numbers 11-14, Joe and I were captured by how a handful of grumblers, complaining about food, helped set the stage for a toxic mindset of criticism and complaints. Examples: Miriam & Aaron criticized Moses' leadership. Later 10 of the 12 spies returned from Canaan with a negative report, which put such fear and doubt in the peoples' hearts that they ended up stuck in the desert, dying, when they could have enjoyed a bountiful life in the Promised Land.
We must protect the landscape of our minds (and our homes) from deserts of criticism and complaints. Thankfulness leads us into the Promised Land of bountiful living, no matter what our circumstances may be.
Quick Caution:  Like Caleb and Joshua... Thankful living means we may be in the minority when we're making a Godly positive perspective our priority.
So, what can we do about it? We can respond like Job! In the midst of his own world of troubles, while fault-finding friends gave him flawed counsel, God told Job just to pray for his criticizing friends. And watch what happened... "the Lord restored...(and) blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the earlier (part of his life.)" Job 42:10-12
I'm challenged to be more like Caleb, Joshua & Job!
Taking on the Prayerful Positive Perspective...dmc