I have an adorable new coffee mug from Magnolia home that says “See the Good” on it! I love to have coffee mugs that have a word on it and as I drink my coffee and spend time with Jesus in the mornings, I feel as if it is a special word over my day. Today, I happen to be drinking my coffee from a mug that says JOY! It may sound silly but I believe it is the simple things that we choose to celebrate and focus on that bring us joy in our days.

See the Good is a phrase that I love because everyday I am faced with that choice. I have the power to choose whether I will see the good or focus on the negative, or the disappointment, or fear of uncertainty. I have found myself in the past weeks having to reign in my thoughts and my focus. My mind has wanted to go in the direction of a runaway train that goes off the tracks with the what if’s! Have you ever been there? It all depends on the day and the emotions that are intensified inside me that are trying to steer me. I have come to a place of understanding that now more than ever, I have to choose my thoughts. I have to intentionally set my mind on things above not on things on this earth. I have to intentionally choose to believe the best which starts with choosing what I allow to stay in my head and roll around in there for a continuous amount of time.

We all deal with negative thoughts and negative emotions that come at us. However, once the thought comes,many times it tries to stick to us like a sticky note and make us repeat it over and over in our heads. The difference is will we accept it as a fact and meditate on it and let it take hold? I believe that now is the time to recognize that we do not have to be a slave to a mindset. We have been given the power and authority to choose the thoughts that we think and meditate on. Jesus gave us that power and authority. He said we have been given the mind of Christ. He also said that we have the fruit of the Holy Spirit in us when we have received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. The fruit of the Spirit is the work of the Holy Spirit inside of us that produces evidence in our life, just like a tree would naturally produce the fruit of its own kind as it grows and is nurtured. Just like a tree, we will produce the seed that is planted inside of us and it will become evident on the outside. The Holy Spirit desires to partner with us in helping us “SEE THE GOOD.” He is there to help us yield to His ways, His patterns and His thoughts.

Galatians 5:22-23 TPT

“But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions:

joy that overflows,

peace that subdues,

patience that endures,

kindness in action,

a life full of virtue,

faith that prevails,

gentleness of heart, and

strength of spirit.

Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.

I have this fruit inside of me and I have to choose to let the Holy Sprit do His work inside of me so that I have fruit on the outside of me. Regardless of my circumstances, I can choose joy that overflows because of Jesus and what He has done for me. No matter what I feel, I can choose to have peace that subdues the storm. Despite me feeling I am at the end of the rope with my children or spouse, I can choose to have patience that endures. I have the choice everyday to focus on blessing and not on a negative emotion. I have the power to surrender that emotion to the Holy Spirit and ask Him for help to replace that strong emotion with His divine expression of love in me.

Today is a great day to use your ability to choose. What a gift that is!!! We are not victims of our circumstances but through Christ Jesus we have been given the victory and He has given us a way to live victoriously!!! I encourage you today to challenge yourself in every circumstance you face to allow the fruit of the Spirit to reign in your life! When we “Choose to See the Good” we will enjoy our life and families so much more and open ourselves up to be a vessel of hope to others!!! God is at work in your life even when you can’t see it yet!

He is our WAYMAKER, Miracle Worker!!!