Rejected...But I Don't Have No In My Heart!

I've been rejected lately. Twice, in fact. First of all, I submitted an essay to an webzine for publication. So far, I haven't heard from them (it's been a couple of weeks now), so I'm thinking it's a NO. Next, I entered two photographs in the county fair yesterday, and I found out today neither received ribbons. Disappointed, but in the big scope of life, it's not a big deal. Rejected, but I'm okay.

Everything will be okay if you "Don't have no in your heart". At least that's the gospel according to Joe Dirt.

Have you ever watched that movie, "Joe Dirt"? You should rent it sometime. When you first watch it, it may seem to be nothing but crude and mindless humor, and for the most part that's true, But if you pay close attention, there are some positive life lessons to be learned! Joe Dirt suffers one hard knock after another, but he makes it through by keeping focused on the positive..."You can't have no in your heart" "Is this where you want to be when Jesus comes back?" and "Life's a garden- dig it!" He was rejected time and time again, but he always got back up on his feet somehow!

I think it's Joe's positive mental attitude that gets him through. I'm not talking about Oprah's "Secret" of speaking positive energy into the universe causing prosperity to return to you...that's hogwash. I'm not even referring to denying the truth and reality of difficulties, injustices, and tragedies around you (sweeping the negative under the rug to pretend it doesn't exist)...that's dangerous. I'm alluding to counting your blessings, believing The Truth, and controlling where you allow your mind to wander and set up camp.

"Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Phillipians 4:8)

Interesting to me that immediately following the instructions to think on these things comes instructions regarding contentment in every circumstance...whether abased or abound, hungry or full, suffering or health. Christ promises to strengthen us during all times, but just maybe He does so, at least in part, by giving us the command to focus our thinking on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely.... And isn't He True, Honest, Just, Pure, Lovely....

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee" Isaiah 26:3.

Perfect peace. Contentment in every situation. A mind that is stayed on Him.

When we do these things, we can't possibly have no in our hearts.

Dig it?