Remember Best, Forget Rest
What do you remember about people?
The good experiences or the bad experiences? Paul said, "I like to
remember the good things about people, focus on the good times we've
had, remember the positive experiences."
When Paul said this he
had not had an easy time in Philippi. Acts 16 tells us that when he went
to Philippi he was illegally arrested, whipped, humiliated, and thrown
into prison -- before finally being asked to leave town. Yet he says, "I
thank God every time I remember you."
Paul could have dwelt on
the negative. He could have remembered the painful memories. He chose
not to remember the painful; instead, he focused on the things he could
be grateful for.
I'm
not saying that you deny the hurts you've had or that you excuse the
weaknesses in other people. That is psychologically unhealthy. But
focus on the good and choose to emphasize the strengths.
Rick Warren's Daily Devotional
