Chapter 89—Positive Influences on the Mind
Gratitude Promotes Health—Nothing tends more to promote
health of body and of soul than does a spirit of gratitude and praise.
It is a positive duty to resist melancholy, discontented thoughts and
feelings—as much a duty as it is to pray.—
The Ministry of Healing,
251
(1905).
Owners of Mental and Physical Capabilities—How natural it is
to regard ourselves as complete owners of ourselves! But the Inspired
Word declares, “Ye are not your own.... Ye are bought with a price” (
1
Corinthians 6:19, 20
).... In our relation to our fellowmen we are owners
of our entrusted mental and physical capabilities. In our relation to
God we are borrowers, stewards of His grace.—Lt 44, 1900. (HC 40.)
Aim to Reach a State of Unity—It is the will of God that union
and brotherly love should exist among His people. The prayer of Christ
just before His crucifixion was that His disciples might be one as He
is one with the Father, that the world might believe that God had sent
Him. This most touching and wonderful prayer reaches down the ages,
even to our day; for His words were, “Neither pray I for these alone,
but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word” (
John
17:20
).
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While we are not to sacrifice one principle of truth, it should be
our constant aim to reach this state of unity. This is the evidence
of our discipleship. Said Jesus, “By this shall all men know that
ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another” (
John 13:35
).
The apostle Peter exhorts the church, “Be ye all of one mind, having
compassion one of another; love as brethren” (
1 Peter 3:8
).—
Patriarchs
and Prophets, 520
(1890).
Extract the Positive From Environment—You have all seen on
the bosom of the lake the beautiful white lily. How anxious we have
been, how we have wished and worked that we might get that blossom.
No matter how much scum and debris and filth there is around it, yet
that does not destroy your desire for the lily. We wonder how the lily
can be so beautiful and white where there is so much filth.
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