thoughts – agodforeveryday

CAN YOU IMAGINE?

Finally, brethren, 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. Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

What if everyone in the whole world—kings and presidents, corporate leaders, tribal chiefs, priests and pastors, parents and children, everyone—heeded the above injunction? What if YOU and I looked at this list and committed ourselves to obedience? From this point on, we will think only about things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy.

Proverbs 23:7 says we are what we think about. A quick inventory over just the past couple of days finds thoughts of past failure, memories of slights, concern over ministries… But I also see thoughts of incredible gratitude, God’s faithfulness, his abundance, his loving care, his mercy, and joy in the relationships he has planted in my life. Can you imagine what life would become if only the true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy thoughts were allowed to remain and even to saturate every tiny cell in our brains? The way that would affect every aspect of our being—our relationships, our work, our health, our future…

Some of God’s promises assure that we are kept in perfect peace when we keep our minds on him (Isa. 26:3). Couldn’t we all embrace 24/7 perfect peace? That’s peace all the time. And that’s a promise—from GOD. If we believed and activated the mind of Christ in us (another promise—I Cor. 2:16), we’d live and act differently. Talk about transformation. And that peace from God guards our hearts (emotions) and minds (Phil. 4:7), keeping us stable and calm whatever the journey brings.

I don’t see the Scripture talking about denial. I believe these encouragements are meant to keep us from camping in negative territory. We’re just to pass through those places that cause pain and grief, acknowledging, addressing, processing, and then move forward into the next part of our unique pilgrimage. We intentionally embrace the healthy, positive thoughts that spring from abiding in Christ and intentionally reject those lies that frequently tempt us and tear at the work God is doing in us.

It appears that we are very much responsible for what we allow to remain in our heads. Paul tells us that we are changed by changing our minds (Rom. 12). We’ve got to choose to fill our minds with things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. We must “set our minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col. 3:2), things that make us negative, doubtful, fearful, anxious, unloving, and so on. Essentially, we are to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (II Cor. 10:5).

Can you imagine what would happen if, from this point forward, you and I choose and discipline ourselves to think in the way God has told us? I’m not there yet, but I’m working on it.

Father, knowing our fragile makeup, you give us strong words of encouragement for living godly, joyous, peaceful lives. Now help us to discipline ourselves to access all that you have for us. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

THINK ABOUT IT

I think one would have to be emotionally insensitive or blind and deaf not to notice the negativity that permeates today’s society. It’s in the media, in social interactions, in institutions, in business dealings, everywhere. And it seems impossible to escape.

During this Lent season, have you ever been tempted to take a fast from the daily news reports? It’s worth a try. You can swear off cable news, but then you’re attacked by texts and mobile broadcasts. Not one network specializes in sending out good tidings.

God has a remedy in Philippians for the constant deluge against our peace of mind. He tells us what to think about: true, honest, just, pure, lovely things and those things that are good. Things that are worth thinking about. Such a litmus test would be invaluable to our mental health. Is this true, honest and just? Is it pure, lovely, and good? If not, kick it out.

Paul also says that we are to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (II Corinthians 10:5). We don’t have to tolerate all the nonsense that flies at us nonstop. We can and must make our thoughts obey Christ—conform to his standard of truth, honesty, justice, purity, loveliness, and goodness. We are to capture our thoughts and not allow them to take us captive.

One of my friends told me the old adage about the birds: You can’t keep them from flying over your head, but you can keep them from making a nest in your hair. It’s time to take control of our thoughts.

Thank you, Father, that you have a remedy for everything that disturbs our peace. Help us to guard our minds and to screen those thoughts we allow into our heads. We want “the meditation of our hearts” to be acceptable in your sight. In Jesus our Lord. AMEN.

A SIMPLE CURE

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (BSB)

Have you noticed that the thing that most occupies our thoughts is typically the thing that most affects our attitudes and behavior? For example, focusing on world affairs tends to evoke frustration and a sense of helplessness (if not hopelessness). Attention to today’s politics can arouse anger; fear of the future can provoke anxiety; while exaggerated concern about our health can create hypochondria. Proverbs 23:7 confirms that we are what we think in our hearts.

Paul wrote to the church at Philippi (4:8) to think about whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable… Essentially, we need to take control of what we entertain in our heads (and hearts). We are to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (II Corinthians 10:5).

We CAN discipline our thoughts and our thinking patterns. …we have the mind of Christ (I Corinthians 2:16) and can expect the Holy Spirit to empower us to keep our eyes on Jesus rather than on things that rob us of what he would do in and through us.

So here’s the simple cure for anxiety, for (unrighteous) anger, for negativity, for worry or fear: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus. Abiding in him, thanking and praising him, and focusing on him brings peace and joy. In fact, in [his] presence is fulness of joy; at [his] right hand there are pleasures for evermore (Psalm 16:11).

The hard part is consistently practicing this simple cure. But we have the Holy Spirit in us to strengthen us to do what pleases the Father. Now, let’s get started.

Heavenly Father, it’s tiring and counter-productive to think negatively. It’s depressing to become preoccupied with self. Train us to keep our eyes on Jesus. Thank you. AMEN.