I’m so excited to begin a series on Philipians 4:8. We’re going to focusing on ALL THE GOOD THINGS!! Why is this important? This past season has been rough on of all us on a global level. We’ve been emotionally worn down through grief, trauma and quarantine. News doesn’t help us too much wither. Honestly our world likes to fill us with every negative news post, sad post, drama post and anything that will keep you glued to your phone (Except for this blog, naturally). Drama, trauma and stress are anxiety magnets and get attention. The issue is it gets stuck in our minds like molasses. Your mental health and your relationship with God is more important than we give credit to. In our world of ‘do it yourself’ ‘hustle’ ‘grind’ ‘no days off’ is catching up with us. Exhaustion, isolation and overworking is real. If you struggle with finding the good in your day, week, or year, let’s walk through it together. Starting with this verse:
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians chapter 4 verse 8. For the next few weeks we’re going to be digging into this one key verse and how we can allow it to impact our daily lives.
The book of Philippians is one of my favorite books in the bible. It is chock full of encouragement and joy filled scripture written by the Apostle Paul. During the time he wrote this letter to the church oof Philippi, he was in chains. He was under arrest and chained to a Roman guard. In a lot of ways he was confined to his home, unable to leave, but the joy he had in his salvation is Christ superseded his current situation. He clung tightly to what was good.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Phil. 4:8
So many difficult things have been happening in our world recently it’s hard to find the good to cling to. This is why this verse is so important. We have to FIX OUR EYES on all that is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable and worthy of praise. I promise it’s out there. It can be heartbreaking to learn about the murders and blatant racism happening to our AAPI community in our country. Every day in the Bay Area there is another report of an elderly Asian American being injured by the hands of hate filled people and it’s absolutely wrong. How can I find something good from all of this? Where is God in all of this pain? It’s easy to just check out emotionally and become bitter about circumstances and not FIGHT for what is good. He’s with the people who are coming together to stand for what’s right. He’s with the families who lost someone due to racism and domestic terror. He’s with those who mourn, those who laugh, and those who are just not sure what to do. I promise, He is with you.
Let’s Pray:
Lord, I am choosing to not fixate on negative circumstances and not forget you are still in control. I mourn with those who mourn right now. I know you are a God of justice and you never ignore your children who need you. With you Lord, I choose to find the good in difficult situations. I recognize that a heavy heart and a hopeful heart can live in the same place. I pray I begin the process to fixing my thoughts on you. I pray that you illuminate what is true, honorable, right and pure in the world around me this week. I choose to put my trust in you.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
This weeks challenge: Let’s fix our eyes on Phil. 4:8
Read our key verse above and meditate on it (meditate means to stop and think about it). Is there one of the ‘fix it’s’ in the verse that jumps out to you? How can you honor God with that one thing?
Until next time!
Lisa
Babies and Gentleman 