Hi Friend!

Below is the secret to life and if your anything like I was/am you will have the biggest light bulb go off by the end of this. So hold tight.

Have you ever heard of the “3 Good things theory?” If you haven’t, go google it please!

A shortened version without all the scientific jargon: Saying three good things changes our emotional response and helps our over all health. The same parts of the brain that are negatively affected in high stress/hardships is the same part that is positively affected when utilizing the “3 good things theory.” (Look it up it is true.)

The idea of focusing on good things isn’t new. Paul writes about this in Philippians chapter 4. Let’s take a look..

Reading “don’t worry about anything” is kind of like telling someone to “calm down.”  or when my husband says “take a deep breath or just breath.” (Getting rage just typing that (haha)) I think Paul also knew that when writing the letter to the Philippians so he didn’t stop there.

Paul is saying to fix our thoughts on good things. If we are always focusing on what is going wrong we will live in a constant state of turmoil. Every time something happens we will only see the negative. it. Paul understood the concept of the “3 good things theory.” Paul knew to be content in the circumstances that he must focus his mind on what was good. He wasn’t content because of his circumstances, but he was content IN his circumstances. 

Paul didn’t ignore his trouble either (2 Corinthians 11:22-23). Letting go and letting God is more than just saying that phrase. We must go to him for everything (Psalms 55:22 and 1 Peter 5:7) Paul choose joy, choose to bring it to God in prayer and be thankful.

Burdens can be great blessings if we are willing to receive it.

Philippians 4:13 is probably one of the most popular scriptures apart from John 3:16, but we can say it or tattoo it on our wrists all day long, but until it becomes a part of our hearts it does no good. We receive this strength from the Lord as we focus on him. The peace we receive is through the knowledge (and of course the Holy Spirit) that in all things He supplies all of our needs if we allow it. 

So, let me give you some testimony and transparency here: Our son had some scary and serious medical issues and I can now say no one truly would understands what that is like unless you have lived through it. If you have or are, my heart goes out to you and I pray for those facing these struggles daily. If we did anything right during this time it was to focus our thoughts, if we were to start spiraling, we wouldn’t have been able to think clearly in that time. We prayed daily together over our children’s specific needs, our finances, jobs and whatever else that came up. Once we brought it to God we refused to fixate on it, we fixed our thoughts on good. We both utilized the “3 good things” theory and it WORKED. 
Now, I would say we haven’t been the best at this. Many times when going through chaos we both spiraled, worried, anxiousness arose and we turned against each other. We would fight, cuss at each other and make matters worse. I am sure most of you can relate to this. Somewhere along the line the light bulb went off, we figured out exactly what Paul was trying to say. It is still a work in progress and we aren’t perfect at not “spiraling,” but we’re getting there!

The secret to life is that Paul is referring in verse 12 is that we must fix our thoughts on things that are true and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. We have the choice to choose gratefulness or hatefulness.

When feeling discontent in life and or facing trials and as your anxiousness arises, take it to God and give thanks! 

Challenge

I challenge you to write 3 good things down daily, in detail. Don’t write “my job, kids, Jesus.” Go into detail! Do it for a week and see how it goes.

Over time you’ll combat negative thoughts with three good things. It’s not about ignoring the problems, it is about knowing that in life we have the choice to be bitter or be better. 

Here is mine for today:

1. Air conditioning, our air has been iffy this summer and today we had no issues. It is such a blessing to have the means to fix it, but also the luxury of system.
2. Interruptions, I have sat down to write this blog many times and children have interrupted with wanting drinks, snacks, attention, boo boo kisses, and tattles. I am so blessed to have the ability to care for my children this way and show them Jesus in it all.
3. Finances, there have been many times over the last few years we didn’t know if we were going to make ends meet. Even in our current financial hardships, I see God working in teaching us patience and trust.

Imma leave you with this quote….