"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things." -- Philippians 4:8

We might refer to this text as "Paul's take on Positive Thinking"... 

When Norman Vincent Peale catapulted the Positive Thinking Movement with his seminal book, The Power of Positive Thinking, people responded like crazy.  Some bought in all the way and changed their views and the way they processed things to reflect on the positive side of everything... to the point that it drove others nuts.  The other side embraced the power of negative thinking and bashed positive thinkers (as I suppose was their inclination to do anyway).  They said it was hocus pocus psycho babble... they said you can't (and shouldn't) try to be happy all the time.  I agree.  You shouldn't try to be happy all of the time.  However, I disagree with the point that positive thinking is hocus pocus psycho babble.  For scientific backing check out Martin Seligman's work on it.  He was a confirmed curmudgeon turned authentic happiness guru.  But we didn't need to wait for the scientific proof to know that life is better when you focus on things that matter and things that are excellent.  Paul told us this 2000 years ago... and he wasn't the first.  

So look around you today... I invite you to see the positive side of that which is around you.  Name your blessings and thank God for them.  Be aware of how grateful you can be for all the good God has placed in your life.  

Readings:  Jeremiah 1:1-2:30; Philippians 4:1-23; Psalm 75:1-10; Proverbs 24:17-20