Are You a Thermostat or a Thermometer?

Are you a thermostat or a thermometer?  What a crazy question is this?

A thermometer:  Expands or contracts according to the temperature around it.

A thermostat:  A device that automatically responds to temperature changes and activates switches controlling the equipment.

As the ladies in our homes, we should strive to be like a thermostat; not a thermometer.  A thermometer will quickly change according to feelings.  If our kids set us off with bad behavior...and we respond with anger...we have become a thermometer. 

 We have allowed our actions to be controlled by the atmosphere around us.

Let us strive to be the thermostat in our homes and in our churches.  It is difficult.  We have to accept our surroundings - other's hurtful behavior, strife, anger, indifference - and we have to not change as a result in our spirit and in our attitude.

 We have to be the one that is not changed by the situations and atmosphere around us...and even more so, we need to be the one to CHANGE the atmosphere around us!  

That is what a thermostat will do.  The temperature drops to 73 degrees...it turns on and "works" until the temperature in the room is back to 74.

So the challenge is...whatever may come your way this week, a depressed husband, fighting children, a disputing church member, a gossiping friend...

do your best in the Lord to change the negative atmosphere into a positive one.

"The fruit of the SPIRIT is love, joy, peace..."  Galatians 5:22a