Living More Abundantly, Part III

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (1)

A couple of principles of healthful living and enjoying the more abundant life include physical exercise and choosing what you think about. Now that's an interesting mix.

I enjoy walking, and sometimes running. Walking for me is a time for meditating. Walking and/or driving, when I'm alone, gives me the opportunity to sort through things and to meditate and pray for God's guidance.

When are your quiet times when you think and meditate?
What do you think about during these times?
Do you think about the beauty of nature in your surroundings?
Do you think about your trials and troubles?
Do you think about how you've been blessed?
Do you think about being abandoned or rejected?
Do you think about the pleasures of this life?
Do you think about the hardships and difficulties of life?
Do you think about the future?
Do you think about the past?
Do you think about the bad behavior and faults of others?
Do you think about how you can benefit and bless others?

Well, if your like me, you've thought about all of this and more too. We are what we think about, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." (2) Sometimes people become depressed and discouraged because of all the bad things that are happening to them in life. Some people live through the most horrible experiences and come out winners on the other side. What makes the difference?

Paul, the Apostle of Jesus, was a man who suffered much abuse. "Five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; - in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, --- in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness--." (3) And yet Paul came out a winner.

Paul was totally committed and dedicated to the Lord, and he left us some very helpful advise, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things." (4)

1. John 10:10.
2. Proverbs 23:7.
3. 2 Corinthians 11:24-27.
4. Philippians 4:6-8.