For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. Philippians 4:8
Have you ever found yourself remembering a painful moment in life and in your mind adding in things you should have or could have said at the time? How about mulling over what someone at work said to you? Or at school today? Or worries about things that have not happened? These thoughts can make us feel angry, hurt, and sad or rejected or fearful.
Paul in his letter to the Philippians addressed this common problem. Led by the Holy Spirit, he advises us to replace these unpleasant and useless thoughts with thoughts about things that are true. When I start thinking about some worrisome thing I ask my self if it true? For example I was going on a plane flight. Thoughts of plane crashes started to pepper my mind. So then I had to ask myself, “Are my thoughts about me being in a plane crash true?” The answer was “No”. Then I asked the Lord to put me on the right plane with the right pilot at the right time and I relaxed. I banished those fearful thoughts with the truth. The Lord is watching over me all the time and He hears and answers my prayers.
When thoughts of painful moments come I pray immediately for that person. I pray for salvation, peace, financial prosperity and joy for that person. I replace the painful thought with love and prayer for that person. I also thank the Lord for any good that has come from that person even if it doesn’t involve me. For example I had a boss who was hard to work with, but I could always thank the Lord for his knowledge and understanding of the work and his good problem solving.
When negative thoughts come another way to change our thinking is to give thanks to the Lord for the things He as done for us. There was a song called “Count Your Blessings”.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qmMaPTuTEE
Here are some of the lyrics:
When I’m worried and I can’t sleep I count my blessings instead of sheep I fall asleep counting my blessings
When my bankroll is getting small I think of when I had none at all I fall asleep counting my blessings
Let’s think about what ever is true.
Jesus is Lord!
