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. Phil. 4:8 (NIV)

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One day last week, Bart (from Mercy Me) posted about "Stuff that Bugs" him. And it received more comments in response to it than any of their previous posts. And you know, it's funny; at first, I had to stop and really think about what 'gets under my skin'. But, once I read the other comments and thought more about it, I was really able to conjure up quite a list of my own! Before too long, I realized all kinds of things that 'bug me' out there!!

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Goes to show the mind is a terrible thing to waste. And very powerful, especially when it gets off track!

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I just kept thinking: 'This must be why Paul was so adamate about getting through to us to keep our minds on all that is good and right and pure and noble...' That is, after all, where it all starts. I think, many times, we have a tendancy to find what we're looking for. Whether that be good or bad. We'll find it.

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So, as entertaining as that post and all the follow-up comments were and as great as it was to 'unload' for a moment and know that I am in good company in my frustrations and common everyday annoyances, I think I'd better keep my mind focused upward and not outward.

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I don't think it's a coincidence that Paul ended his letter to the Phillipians on this note. I think he made sure to close with this thought. He knew the importance of keeping your mind steadfast. And it certainly still applies to this day and age with all the distractions and everyday frustrations that we experience.

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And, I know for me personally, the more I focus on God, the bigger He becomes in my life. And, on the flip-side of that, the more I focus on my problems, the greater they become. So, why do I find it so easy to get bogged down in my problems and take my eyes off of Him, just when I need Him the most?

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Tonight, Gary assured us that being hit with problem after problem is many times just the very blessing that we need to find our clarity and footing (in Him). After all, once you've hit rock bottom, all you can do is look up. Straight up to Him. And He'll be there every time to help you back up and show up in big and mighty ways.

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In beginning a new great book given to me by a friend of mine last week I was reminded of the story of Habakkuk. And having been directed to the first chapter of this book, I have now taken on Habakkuk 1:5 as my memory verse to hold onto during what's been a very trying week!

After Habakkuk had come to the Lord crying "How long, O Lord, must I call for help? ...But you do not listen!" (vs. 2), this was the Lord's reply:

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“Look around you; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it." Hab. 1:5 (NLT)

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He is doing something in our own day! We may never know of all His future plans or even any of His present-day workings, but we are still able to catch glimpses of His presence wherever we are... all we have to do is 'look around' us. And keep our eyes on Him. Praise God!

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Disclaimer... This post was in no way an intention to deter anyone from checking out Mercy Me's blog. Quite the opposite. Heaven knows I look at it a hundred times a day just for laughs and to see what I may have missed. Those guys are a riot. I encourage any and all, who like me, need a good laugh now and again!