What Are You Thinking?

Floods, fires, riots, earthquakes, wars, bombs falling, planes crashing, immorality exalted, Christians persecuted....  The news is full of bad stuff.  It is so easy to get discouraged and feel like there is no hope for this world.  We can let our minds get so full of all the bad news and all the stress that we think of those things.  Yet, what does scripture tell us?

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.  Philippians 4:8 (ESV)  

These words were written by the Apostle Paul.  He gives us a blueprint for our thoughts.  There is nothing in there about all the bad stuff in the world.  Don't think that this had to be easy for Paul.  He lived in a time when the emperor of Rome ruled over the world he knew.  Christians were persecuted.  Paul himself had been beaten and left for dead.  He was arrested for something he did not do and left in prison long after he should have been released.  He was even abandoned by people he trusted.  He lived in the city of Corinth for a year and a half.  Corinth was a horrifically evil city.  Most around him worshipped the emperor and idols.  Yet, in the midst of this evil world, Paul said to think about the things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy.

We cannot just ignore all the evil around us, all the suffering.  We must pray about these things but we must also look for the good.  I read a post by one of the preachers in Ukraine recently.  He was rejoicing in the midst of the terrible war because of all those who put on Christ in the past year.  He said that more people had come to Christ since the beginning of the war than in the ten years previous.  There is something lovely, excellent and praiseworthy.  God's people are working.  God is opening hearts.

The stories of self-sacrifice, courage and kindness are there.  Look for those things.  Focus on those things while praying for relief.  Of course, we will think about the things that are happening around us but we must not let our thoughts focus and dwell on the negative.  

Be careful what you put into your mind.  If you choose entertainment that is full of violence
and immorality you will certainly have difficulty thinking about the things listed in Philippians 4:8.  Watch how you feed your mind and spirit.  

See what you can find to think about today.  Look for the good news.  Keep your focus where it needs to be.