Chapter 14
I AM Thinking Only About Good Things, Part 1
We should all look ahead, and put the past behind us. But thoughts of the past, anxious thoughts, and agitated feelings will surely try to make their way past any mental wall we build, and try to sneak into our minds. When this happens, we have to firmly push those thoughts back down, and change our self-talk.
The apostle Paul told us exactly what to think about when this happens. "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).
The world today is concerned about having everyone speak in politically correct ways. But Paul's focus was on teaching us how to think in spiritually correct ways. The thoughts listed in the verse above, Paul would say, are the food of the mind that is guarded by the peace of God. When we put these good thoughts into our mind, they stay in our mind and shut out anxiety and agitation.
And here's something else I never noticed until today. In the very next verse, Philippians 4:9, we read, "Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." I've been looking for verses that will spark the "peace of God" in your heart. But Paul said, if the Philippians did as he instructed, not only would they have the peace of God, but the God of Peace would also be with them!
I love it when something new jumps out at me. That thought is going to be fermenting in my mind all day. Like yeast, it's going to expand in my mind and grow until I'm completely covered and overflowing with peace. I pray that thought affects you the same way today.
Continue to Chapter 14: Questions
