When Joseph's brothers were traveling from Canaan to Egypt to get Simeon and meet with Pharoah's first-in-command (who they didn't know was Joseph), I wonder if they were thinking negatively or positively? We pretty much assume that they were in panic mode- they had discovered money in their bags so it appeared that had stolen all that food during a severe famine, they didn't want to let Jacob down, they were scared for their lives, and they were beginning to really feel guilty for what they did to Joseph so many years before. Would we have an upward focus during a time like that in our lives?
When we're on a journey from Canaan to Egypt, we tend to view life horizontally rather than vertically. We tend to be resistant rather than open. The first step (according to Chuck Swindoll) is to recognize and admit your negative mentality. It seems that admission is the first step to breaking any bad habit. Next, force the vertical focus until it comes naturally. No habit just lays down and dies, especially if the devil's got anything to do with it. We have to make forced, conscious decisions to think positively. And lastly, stay open to a new idea for at least five minutes. (This hits home for me big-time!) When something new and unexpected confronts you, tolerate the possibility of it for at least five minutes. You will be surprised at the benefit of staying open.
Keep me accountable on this!! I want to dream bigger, live with more faith, and expect more from my life and my marriage. Chris has huge goals for his life and for us, and I need to enlarge my dream capacity to match up with his :)
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