My
occupation is words. Whether I am writing or editing, I am using words to
convey ideas so that readers can understand. I can usually see what’s wrong
with someone else’s writing (though sometimes not with my own) and figure out
how to fix it.
As an
editor, I am paid for being critical. My job is to see what’s wrong with the
way words are used. This ability becomes a disability when I carry it over into
my personal life and always look for what is wrong. Focusing on what’s wrong
can cause us to miss everything that’s good.
The
apostle Paul had reason to focus on what was wrong in the Philippian church.
Certain people were preaching the gospel out of selfish ambition to add to
Paul’s suffering (Phil. 1:16). But instead of concentrating on the negative, he
chose to look at the positive and rejoice in it: Jesus Christ was being
preached (v.18).
God wants
us to be discerning—we need to know good from bad—but He doesn’t want us to
focus on the bad and become critical or discouraged. Even in circumstances that
are less than ideal (Paul was writing from prison), we can find something good
because in times of trouble God is still at work.
When your
outlook is blurred by problems, focus on God. (RBC)
