Faith & Family - Cullman, Alabama Spring 2020 - Page 25

about right thinking: “Finally,
brethren, whatever things are true,
whatever things are noble, whatever
things are just, whatever things are
pure, whatever things are lovely,
whatever things are of good report,
if there is any virtue and if there is
anything praiseworthy — meditate
on these things” (Philippians
4:8, NKJV). The word translated
“meditate” means to give careful
“ Practicing what
Paul instructed in
Philippians 4:8 will
help calm our minds
and help us develop a
more positive outlook
about life. ”
thought to a matter.
We should be concerned about
our thoughts because they determine
our actions. Solomon wrote, “Keep
your heart with all diligence, For
out of it spring the issues of life”
(Proverbs 4:23). Jesus declared,
“For out of the heart proceed evil
thoughts,
murders,
adulteries,
fornications, thefts, false witness,
blasphemies” (Matthew 15:19). Our
thinking is closely associated with
mental health; that is, the state of
our minds is directly related to our
thoughts. Troubled thoughts disturb
the mind; lovely thoughts soothe the
heart. Furthermore, what we think
about affects our character (Proverbs
23:7 — “For as he thinks in his heart,
so is he …”). Robert Waldo Emerson
said, “A man is what he thinks all
day long.” Someone else suggested,
“We are not what we think we are,
but what we think, we are.”
Meditating
on
“whatever
things are true” will help us not be
downcast or depressed. False news
and rumors are a part of daily life.
A person who listens to the daily
negativity of certain news reports
will find it difficult to anticipate the
sunshine of a better day. He should
seek truth that is factual as opposed
to what is hypothetical, deceptive
and imaginary. Things that “are true”
do not refer to what culture deems to
be true, but what God has determined
is true. The “things … noble” pertain
to what is dignified and inspires
respect for others. The “things …
just” refer to what is right and fair
in God’s sight. The “things … pure”
relate to what is morally pure. Moral
filth of many books, magazines and
Hollywood productions deprave the
mind and fill it with impure thoughts.
Thinking about “things … lovely”
inspires kindness and friendliness
which affect our relationship with
others. The “things … of good report”
pertain to what is commendable and
praiseworthy.
Practicing what Paul instructed
in Philippians 4:8 will help calm
our minds and help us develop a
more positive outlook about life.
Following Paul’s guidelines is
beneficial, not only during this time
of uncertainty, confusion and fear
surrounding the pandemic, but also
throughout life.
April 2020 | Faith & Family
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