From the Pulpit...

Despite a particular hardship, Paul was able to thank God for victory in Christ and for advancing the gospel through him. Here is a lesson we can learn from Paul's shift of mindset from extreme distress to thanksgiving: always take yourself back to thanksgiving to God when you are in troubled circumstances. It will lift your spirits. Do not wallow in your miry thoughts, the negativity, anxiety, stress, restlessness, the past, the failures, or the baggage. You can go over and over the bad situation, and it will not change it one little bit. Instead, turn your brain toward thanks-thinking, and your spirit toward thanks-praying, and your lips toward thanks-speaking, and your emotions and focus will be lifted heavenward.