Like many families, we used to review our collective days around the supper table.
Typically, this involved talking about what went wrong, or the annoying things that happened to us. It was depressing. So, we made a change and said, “If you have a real problem, we will talk about it. Otherwise, tell us something good.”
There are not many areas in your life where you are in total control, but you are completely in charge of your thoughts.
Therefore, I have come to believe that Philippians 4:8 is one of the most important verses for our day and time. It says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.”
That is a command. We cannot change or ignore it. Yet, sadly, some of the most discouraging people I know are believers. That is wrong and counterproductive. We lose the battle when we give in to negativity.
Notice, too, that the Holy Spirit used eight different words to describe the same attitude. There is no way to misunderstand what is expected. Every thought is to be filtered through the question, “Is this lovely, good, pure, noble and true?” If it does not harmonize with this tone, then it needs to be altered or discarded.
Lastly, when Paul tells them to think on these things, he did mean a passing thought once in a while. Other versions translate think with words like, “dwell,” “focus your thoughts,” “fill your minds,” “meditate,” and “think about what you can praise God for and be happy about.”
Positive, hopeful thoughts are to be at the centre of everything.
To be clear, I am not encouraging you to be naïve, deny reality or bury your head in the stand. In fact, I guarantee you that there is no danger that you will pass over what needs to be corrected and fixed. We are too well trained in seeing what is wrong to miss it.
However, we cannot dwell there. We must choose to think about possibilities and not just problems. We must believe that God is working in ways we cannot see. Even in our worst circumstances, we can choose to see blessings.
Whether you know it or not, you are in a battle.
Fight to find the good.
