DATE POSTED
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Read Philippians 4:8 in your Bible or click on it to read it online in the Living Bible (TLB).

…Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

I remember attending a mid-week prayer and Bible study where the leader asked us to take a few minutes to offer up only prayers of thanksgiving for what God had done that week. We were told to save our petitions and requests for later in the service. It was amazing—and sobering—to realize how challenging it was just to say “thank you” without immediately asking for something else.

That moment reminded me of how easily we can slip into a lifestyle of asking God for help without taking the time to reflect on the countless prayers He has already answered. In my upbringing, my siblings and I would have been scolded for receiving a gift and failing to say “thank you.” Yet, Satan cleverly pulls us into the trap of ignoring the good God has done so we can spend all our time focusing on what we think we still need.

This is exactly why God inspired the Apostle Paul to write Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” God knew that we would struggle with the exact same mindset as the church at Philippi. If we filled our minds with the brighter things of life—the answered prayers, the victories of our loved ones, the open doors God chose for us to walk through, and the clear direction He gives when we struggle—we would instantly realize just how incredibly blessed we are. We would also recognize the gift of the body of believers we worship with each week, who encourage us, lift us up, and check in on our well-being.

Years ago, early on a Monday morning at work, I opened the front door for an employee and welcomed them with a warm, genuine smile. Instead of returning the smile, they asked what on earth could possibly have me so happy on a Monday morning at work. When I began listing the things I was already thankful for—including the beautiful handiwork of God I had seen on my drive in—they completely shut down the conversation.

When we allow ourselves to be filled with worry, stress, and the burdens of yesterday, we lose sight of the Lord. We forget that He is the One causing our hearts to beat today. We overlook a beautiful family who loves us, a workplace that puts bread on the table, and safety on the dangerous roads we travel. It is so easy to let the weight of the world pull us down and start wondering where God is.

But even in the middle of a broken world, the amazing love of Jesus still shines through. The Holy Son of God loved us enough to sacrifice His very life for us, and He continues to watch over us in every single circumstance of life.

Let’s choose to think on these things today. Let’s train our minds to find the good in our family members, neighbors, coworkers, and friends, instead of focusing on their faults or comparing ourselves to them. When we intentionally change what we look at, we will stop focusing on the enemy’s disruptions and start rejoicing in God’s abundant blessings. We might even find ourselves moving past treating Jesus as a casual, infrequent acquaintance, and truly making Him the Lord of our lives.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I have taken Your blessings for granted and rushed into Your presence with demands rather than thanksgiving. Thank You for the breath in my lungs, the safety on the roads, the provision on my table, and the loved ones in my life. Most of all, thank You for the ultimate sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus. Holy Spirit, help me to take control of my thoughts today. When worry and negativity try to take over, remind me to focus on whatever is true, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy. Turn my eyes away from my problems and fix them onto Your goodness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I pray that one of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org, or if you choose, subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, as you will also find that option on this page. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian Walk while you invite God to work through you to bless them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!