Philippians 4:8-9, “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and see in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Life gets hectic. We all get eroded with the negative pulses in the world around us, and then there are those people that set off our trigger points. Everyone has a Goliath in their life. Whatever gets you the most (feeling taken for granted, inefficiency, someone breaks a promise to you, arrogance, etc.) will rob you of having peace. But it all comes down to when you are alone, and everything is quiet, what do you think about? What thoughts fill your mind? Is it about the last argument you had with your spouse or friend or a co-worker? Or maybe an accusatory reply and comment to someone you wish you hadn’t said that now you feel made you look bad and want to undo it? Or are you thinking about the promises of God and right thoughts to think about as Paul exonerated us to do in Philippians 4:8-9?
Satan’s weapons he uses against us are guilt, shame, frustration, and our failures. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy our peace. He wants us to look bad. If you are prone to depression, guard your heart and mind what you watch on TV. See a doctor and or Christian counselor if needed. Get physical exercise and eat right. Ignore the temptation to handle your feelings in the wrong way. We all must hold onto the truth found in Deut. 31:6 and again in verse 8, when Moses spoke to all of Israel and to Joshua, who was taking Moses’s place as Moses knew he was about to die: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you. It is the LORD who goes before you. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” I need to remember that God’s presence is going with me and before me, guarding me, protecting me, vindicating me, and is carefully watching over me, are truths to keep in my mind every day (Psalm 91:1-16). That is thinking about what is true, noble, just, commendable, and worthy of praise to the Lord, that Paul was teaching about.
“Spending time in the Word is what is of prime importance. Let it transform your heart and mind. Place what you have learned before God as an offering back up to Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to make it come alive and help you apply it to your life. Let God change the way you think until you know how God thinks, and you want what He wants and has purposed in your life. Do not let the current culture or circumstances dictate how you feel (excerpt from page137, “Eliminating The Greener Grass Trap. Quitting The Habit Of Comparisons” by Linda Killian).”
“The Christian who fills his heart and mind with God’s Word will have a built-in “radar” for detecting wrong thoughts. . . . Right thinking is the result of daily mediation on the Word of God.” Warren Wiersbe “Be Joyful Even When Things Go Wrong, You Can Have Joy. NT Commentary, Philippians.” Lastly, the AMP version says it this way, of Philippians 4:8-9, “Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source]of peace and well-being will be with you.”
Need to do anything different or make any changes? Engage your built-in radar against any wrong thoughts from reading and meditating on God’s Word. The God of peace is with you.
Listen to Danny Gokey – Give Me Jesus (LIVE) 1/24/2016.