If there’s one thing we all can control is how to respond to whatever happens to us. 

In every situation we go through in life, we will always have the choice to decide how to respond.

In other words, what we choose to do shapes our feelings and emotions about ourselves, others and our surroundings. 

In my previous article, I talked about being thankful for others, which is only possible when we learn how to be grateful for our “selves.” 

Let’s use Matthew 6: 25-34 as the foundation for our study. 

A phrase that we should focus on at this point is “do not be anxious” (verse 25). And, there are two things that come out of that, based on the original text (Greek). 

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. ESV. 

 

Do not be distracted

 

The Greek text that translates into “do not be anxious” also means “do not be distracted.” 

Here are three things that can happen when we let ourselves get distracted. 

 

We move our attention from what matters the most to what doesn’t.

It’s something that happens every day and in real life. It does not take long to get off the road once you let your eyes wander away from the road, even for just a few seconds. Anything can happen. 

When driving, we always say “keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.”

That’s the same with life. We have to stay focused and keep our attention on what should always be the highest priorities in our lives.

When we don’t do that, then we move to a state of mental confusion.

 

Mental Confusion

Yes, when we have moved our attention from what should always matter the most for us, it’s easier we fall into a state of mental confusion. 

In this state of being, we won’t be able to think right. We are disturbed in our minds. We lose clarity about our purpose. 

 

Misalignment

Misalignment happens as a result of the above steps. We get to a point where pieces of our lives are not where they ought to be. 

 

 

Don’t go into pieces

 

Distractions make you go into pieces. Of course, you may wonder what this all means. 

Go back to Matthew 6, the Scripture, I am using for this little study, and take a look at verse 25. There you find the three essential parts of all humans: soul, lifestyle, and body. 

When you get distracted, you lose harmony, balance, and order among these three parts of who you are: body, soul, and lifestyle. 

I think society today is in a lot of trouble because of all the distractions that have affected all parts of the human being to the point we don’t know our priorities in life. 

 

 

Seek first the Kingdom of God

 

Jesus gives us the good news in verses 33 and 34,

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

The body is the temple of God’s Spirit. 

That’s the starting point. For us to be thankful for who we are, we should start first by reestablishing harmony, order, and balance in our lives.

Let’s start with the body, which, according to 1 Corinthians 6: 19, 20, is the temple of the Holy Spirit. 

 

Your mind should be set on the things above. 

When you look at the original word that translates into “mind” in English, it can also stand for soul and mind at the same time (Colossians 3: 2). 

In other words, your understanding, feeling, and mind should focus on Christ and his Kingdom. 

Remember that all the above represents your inner being and perception of self, others, and your surroundings. And, that on its own shapes your lifestyle. 

 

Your lifestyle changes

 

When you realize that your body is the temple of God’s Spirit, and intentionally make sure the Holy Spirit dwells in you, your lifestyle changes. 

In other words, the ways you see and relate to people, and your surroundings, change too. 

In this process, you literally do the following: 

• • • You maintain God’s presence through the Holy Spirit in you. 
    • You keep your minds on Jesus alone. 

And, when you do that, you will get harmony, balance, and order back into your life. As a result, you align yourself with God who dwells in you.

Doing so will enable you to always be thankful for who you are. And, because you’re grateful for who you are as a human being, you will also appreciate everyone you meet and everything that comes your way. 

 

Your turn now

Let me know what you think about the ways we should always show gratitude for who we are. And, why do you think we should do it? Or, how does this benefit us, as followers of Jesus Christ?