What’s been on your mind lately? I bet I can guess: Covid. Racism. Violence. Uncertainty… It’s hard not to think about such things! On top of that, here’s work and money concerns. Relationship issues that don’t ever change. It’s hard not to think about such things! Then there are the thoughts that you don’t want me or anyone else to know about. You’d be too ashamed! It’s hard not to think about such things.
God knows. God knows every thought that passes through our minds. So God gives us this encouragement: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8). Isn’t that what we want? But it’s so hard! How do we think about such good things?
We need God’s Word to fill us with good things. This little book of Philippians is filled with them. Like, “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (3:8). Like, “our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (3:20). Like, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (4:4). Like, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (4:6). Like, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (4:8). Like, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (4:13).
So, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things!”
Comments