Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

This past week, our Bethany prayer team was sitting around at our midweek prayer group mutually reflecting on how difficult a year it’s been… already.  I mean, we’re 34 days into it and I’m whipped.  It feels an awful lot like 2020, doesn’t it?  Somehow, I thought that when we turned the page into a new year, things would be different. I think this is a worldwide phenomenon.  I’ve been talking with pastor-friends from around the world and they report a similar air of fatigue and discouragement among many in their churches, too.

I don’t think anyone could have anticipated that we would still be at this over a year after COVID emerged.  And now, with different variants and mutations emerging, the huge logistical problems in the distribution of vaccines, and the limited effectiveness of the vaccine among these new viral strains… it seems like there’s no end in sight.  It’s like hiking in the Rockies.  You climb up a large mountain, getting to the top, only to discover that there’s another peak just beyond… and another, and another. Where does it end?

What would we do without Jesus?

One of the most powerful weapons God has given us to combat the all the negativity around us, is the ability to control our thinking.  We can choose what we think about and what we dwell on. Colossians 3:2 instructs us to “set our minds on things above, not on earthly things.” In the original language, this is a present active imperative, meaning that it is a continuing action.  So, we can “continually set our minds” on good things, eternal things, things that us build up.  And as pastors love to say, God never gives us instructions that, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we cannot do.”  We CAN control our thinking, by choosing what we focus on.

Philippians 4:8, then, provides an evaluative sieve through which we can pour our thoughts.  It helps us weed out what will build us up versus what will tear us down.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

So, in light of Philippians 4:8, I will not dwell on the latest click-bait headline, or the most recent Hollywood scandal, or the latest politically motivated gloom and doom scenario.  I won’t fixate on the things I can’t control in my life and the innumerable “what ifs” or “what next” that come down the pike. It’s not that I am blissfully ignorant of the trouble around me; but I carefully guard my heart and mind from the corrosive effect of worry, anxiety and fear.

We are in a battle. And the battle is for your mind. The Enemy will constantly serve up all kinds of garbage for you to consume.  You may not be able to stop that initial thought, but you don’t have to hold on to it, feel it, smell it, taste it, chew it and roll in it. Enough’s enough.  Don’t take the bait. Stop feasting on garbage. Reset your thinking.

So, sift your thoughts through the grid of Philippians 4:8 and choose to dwell on the good things that come out the other side.  Everything else, leave with our Good Shepherd who has promised to walk with us every step of the way and right into eternity.

You will keep in perfect peace
    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you.

Isaiah 26:3