Tied On – The Cowboy’s DevotionalSample

DON’T LET DEATH LOSS DEFINE YOUR HERD

If you’re in the cattle business, then you know that sometimes cattle die. While death loss is inevitable, what I’ve learned is that I can’t let death loss define my herd. If I lose a calf or cow, I have to choose to remain focused on the herd that I still have and not let the death loss determine my success.

Similar to the rancher with death loss, we all face loss and hard times. But there are some things we can do to prevent us from being defined by the losses of life. First off, we must allow God to change our perspective—just like a rancher who can’t stay focused on the ones that died but has to focus on the herd that is still alive, we must also search for the good things in our lives and choose to focus on those things. God’s Word tells us to keep our minds focused on the things that are right, lovely, and praiseworthy. You may be thinking, “Nothing is going right in my life,” but there is always something that we can praise God for. By doing this, our attitude will be different even when we face the dark days of life!

We must also practice following God’s principles. God’s Word can minimize poor decisions and failures. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” When we let the light of God’s Truth fill our minds and show us what paths we should take, we tend to face less self-inflicted dark days!

CHEW ON THIS
In what ways have you let your dark days define you? Are you more focused on your failings or what God says is true about you? Is your mind focused on things that are right, lovely, and praiseworthy?
 
PRAYER
God, help me to do my part in preventing the dark days in my life. Show me your paths for my life. Help me not become consumed by the hard times but to focus on you. It’s in your holy name I pray, Amen.