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.
I love this verse so much! It reminds me of everything I want to exude, but so often fail to.
Thinking about the things God recommends can be challenging and not natural. We know it will make us happier, so let’s look at why we don’t naturally do this and how to make positive changes.
Yesterday, for no apparent reason, I was off. Not sure why because my circumstances were lovely and I was with lovely people. I think often there are too many programs running in the background that are slowing us down, just like computers.
Are past experiences, unresolved feelings, or relationships lurking in the background stealing your joy? Why don’t we let these things go? Are we still processing them and carrying them with us everywhere? Hmm.
Let’s look at the adjectives in this verse:
- true
- noble
- right
- pure
- lovely
- admirable
- excellent
- praiseworthy
The things stealing our joy do not usually fall into these eight categories, yet I think maybe we keep rehashing them because we want a different outcome or want to “figure it out” so it will sit right with us and we can move on.
Unfortunately, when I think about things that bug me I can’t do enough mental gymnastics to figure it out or change the past (or present).
I want a neat clean package that makes sense to me, but so many negative experiences I can’t fit into neat clean packages that make sense to me. I want it to feel good, but it doesn’t.
God knows the prescription for every condition including our thought life. He tells us directly here what to think about. And we know our sinful nature is not bent on what is the best for us but is rooted in the enemy’s plan to steal, kill and destroy.
I have to admit the things I continue to ruminate about are stealing my joy, killing my day, and have the potential if unchecked to destroy my life!
God’s ways are different and perfect.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
We have to admit God knows better than us, and as finite beings, we can’t think we have a better plan than an infinite God. His ways are not ours and they are far superior.
Isaiah teaches His thoughts are not like ours, and Philippians teaches us what to move toward in our thought life to be more in line with God’s ways.
But how do we drop all the negative thoughts that put us in a funk?
Let’s use a food analogy.
A terrific way to take good care of ourselves is to think about adding more nutrient-dense foods to our diet, rather than cutting out all the things that aren’t.
When we just focus on adding the nutrient-dense foods that make our body feel good, there just isn’t enough room for all the other foods, so naturally the balance shifts. Does this make sense?
If we apply this to our thought life, rather than trying to squelch all the negative thoughts that seem to pop up even more when we do, we focus on adding the positive thoughts and naturally shift the balance of our thought life more and more to the paradigm in Philippians 4:8.
As you read through the situations below, think about how they may apply to your homeschool and the situations you encounter in that sphere.
When I think, “I’m sad because people gossiped about me and said things that aren’t true”, I shift to adding, “My real friends know the truth about me, and God who created me knows my heart and loves me and is growing me in Him each day”.
When I get down about the state of our government corruption and the decay of society, I pivot to remembering God is our noble, perfect, righteous, holy King and is the ultimate authority in control that is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow and loves humanity passionately.
When my heart hurts because the world is talking about sinful behaviors and defending them as right, I go to the Bible and see what God says is right and focus on how I can keep in better alignment with that, and pray for the confused.
When the institutions I used to trust become defiled and lose their integrity and it affects me and my family, I remember that God’s kingdom is pure and this is the eternal destiny of believers.
When the speech surrounding me is critical and disagreeable, I go to God’s word which is lovely and soothing to the soul.
When those I trusted in my life to lead with integrity have become deplorable and the disgrace overwhelms me, I chose to read Psalms which are admirable and remind me of God’s awesome power and let his love overwhelm me instead.
When my workplace produces inferior products, services, and customer service that is an embarrassment, I remember I am really working for God not man, who is altogether excellent in every single way.
When I begin to worry my efforts are not worthy and I’m inferior to those around me, I pray God will reinforce in me that He is what is praiseworthy and anything I work at is only worth anything at all because it is from him and for him.
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.
So let’s not try and force our brain to squeeze out all the negative thoughts, which will typically only reinforce them, but rather fill it with positive, life affirming, thoughts from God’s word, and keep Philippians 4:8 as our guide and criterion for our thought-life.
Somehow we think that indulging in unproductive thoughts will satisfy us, or else there wouldn’t be a saying, “pity party”! But that’s the sinful nature showing up to challenge what we know about God’s ways, and it is a battle we must continue to fight.
It’s not easy in our culture that isn’t focused on the attributes of God. It’s like swimming. You have to keep going and keep kicking your legs to get to the other side or you will sink.
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Our hope is in the Lord and that renews our strength so we won’t grow weary and faint…or sink!
Reach out to a prayer partner and talk about how you can pray for each other and crowd out all those negative thoughts so their space in your mind gets smaller and smaller!
How have you managed to align your thinking with Philippians 4:8? Leave a comment below and tell me your tips!