Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:4-9
“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
While we can’t ignore the reality of the world around us or the challenges in our personal lives, we shouldn’t allow either to rob us of the peace and joy that Christ promised was exclusively ours as children of God. With so much going on in our world and lives, we need a mechanism to replace our fear and anxiety with peace, joy and hope.
Paul encouraged the Philippian church, and us, to guard against anxiety and find rest under the protection of the peace of God (v6-7). Then he gives some perspectives on how to control our hearts, minds and thought patterns by encouraging us to meditate on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy.
Paul’s words aren’t telling us to ignore the world around us. Instead, they encourage us to develop a disciplined approach that meditates on our single constant, God. Meditation requires we engage in continuous, thoughtful contemplation. When lured down paths to fear and anxiety, we have to develop the discipline to meditate on the true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. Not to dismiss reality, but to avoid being consumed by our reality. Meditation is a life line to God’s peace in the midst of the most difficult times.
Proverbs 23:7 tells us, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” We become what we focus on and what we think.
Lesson to Remember: We live in the environment our thoughts frame. If that’s true, what is my environment?
“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”—Isaiah 26:3
