Good evening brethren and Happy Sabbath!  Last week's memory verse was 1 Corinthians 2:10 (NKJV), "But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God."  

We don't have a new memory verse this week, but we should be finishing up the last two chapter of the booklet "Is God a Trinity?"  Chapter 7 and 8, "The Holy Spirit: God's Transforming Power" and "God's Purpose For You."

More trouble every day

Generally speaking, I think I'm more-or-less a positive person.  I try to see the bright side of things, and try to give people the benefit of the doubt.  I watch the news, but I try not to let it bring me down.  But I have to admit, that's become more difficult to do over the past few years.  It seems all we hear anymore is bad news!

At the risk of contributing to the problem, it does seem that, objectively speaking, there is a lot of negative out there.  More cases of COVID, an unsustainable economy, skyrocketing food costs, etc.  Even the prayer requests we receive about members who are battling illness and disease.  While we want to be aware so we can pray for them, all too often, it seems we hear more bad news, than good.

Make a choice

I was talking to a member this week who reminded me of an old saying, "People who look for problems usually find them."  That is to say, if someone is apt to be negative and critical of people or things, they will almost always find something negative and critical to say, even nothing terribly negative has occurred.

So, what are we to do about it?  Quite simply, we can make choice about the things we choose to let occupy our minds.  I'm not saying we should ignore prayer requests, or we shouldn't consider tweaking our personal budgets to account for rising costs.  But once we act on those things and do our part, we don't need to let all the sad and depressing parts of life consume our every thought!

Looking  for something good

Just as someone who is apt to see negative will see negative, someone who chooses to think positively, will see positive things.  In fact, the apostle Paul encouraged this sort of thinking in Philippians 4:8-9, "Finally, brethren, 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. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."

Are you tired of hearing bad news and being brought down emotionally by all the sadness, injustice and hate in the world?  The solution is simple: quit letting it occupy your mind!  You have the power to focus on good - God's personal calling to you, the grace by which we are saved and the joy that His Holy Day plan brings.  Allow these things to occupy your mind, and don't let the negativity of life bring you down!