A stagecoach driver had held
the leather reins for so many years that when he began to grow
old his hands were crooked into hooks, and his fingers were so
stiffened into that shape that they could not be straightened
out. There is a similar process that goes on in men's minds and
souls when they continue to do the same things over and over.
If you are trained and train yourself from childhood to be
gentle and patient, to control your temper, to resist all wrong,
then your life will grow into moral beauty and the peacefulness
of your heart will at length shine upon your very face. If,
on the other hand, you give way from childhood to all ugly tempers,
to resentful feelings, to all bitterness and anger, then your
life will grow into permanent moral disfigurement. One who
accustoms himself to think of pure and holy things, who sets
his affections on things above, and strives to reach for things
which are true, things which are honourable, things which
are lovely, will grow heavenward toward the things which he loves
and thinks upon. But one who lets his mind turn
habitually to debasing things, to unholy things, to impure things,
to earthly things, will find his whole soul bending downward
and growing sinful, corrupt, and evil. Fix your thoughts on
what is true and honourable and right and pure and lovely and
admirable. Think about things that are excellent
and worthy of praise. Philippians chapter 4 verse 8.