Rainbow Or Cloud?

In many ways we choose our outlook on life by where we keep OUR FOCUS. Some people rob themselves of joy simply because they FOCUS on what they don’t have rather than on what they do. They can have much going for them and have one thing that is not the way they wish it, and allow that one thing to rain on their whole parade.

I’m reminded of Haman (in the book of Esther) who boasted about his wealth, his many sons, the honor given him by the king of Persia and how he had been elevated above all the other nobles and officials, and he was the only one invited to accompany the king to a special banquet. ( Esther 5:10-12) You could say, here was one who had it all. Yet he allowed jealousy toward another individual to take away all his joy.

Note Haman’s own words:
“YET ALL THIS IS WORTH NOTHING TO ME, SO LONG AS I SEE MORDECAI THE JEW SITTING AT THE KING’S GATE.” ( Esther 5:13 ESV)

Though Haman was respected by all, he was upset that one single Jew would not pay him the attention he thought he deserved. Though he had many positive things he could have FOCUSED on, Haman could not get out of his mind the one thing that rained on his glory parade. His FOCUS on the one cloud in his life took away all the gleam of the things that were going well for him. Because he kept his FOCUS there, it ended up bringing about his doom. (Esther chapter 7)

ON WHAT HAVE WE CHOSEN TO FOCUS? I’m sure we all have some things in our lives we wish were different. However, I am just as certain we all have some things in our lives that are going very well. It is okay and proper to try to better the other situations, but WHERE WE KEEP OUR FOCUS will tremendously impact our disposition in life and the way we are with others. May OUR FOCUS rest on the right list.

Have a great day COUNTING YOUR BLESSINGS!
Carl

PS. Esther is a short book. Why not read "The Rest Of The Story."
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[This focus was originally sent 09/03/1998 (Edited some with passage changed to ESV)]

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