“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies”. Philippians 4: 8-9
What happens when you take the plunge and try out a new hairstyle? You get 9 compliments about it and one unfavourable remark. I can almost guarantee that your mind will be drawn to the criticism and you will find yourself mulling over those words far more than the 9 positive comments that were made. Our flesh tends to be drawn towards the negative. If we are left to our own devices we will soon find ourselves on a downwards spiral. In fact, we are often our own worst critics, at times dissecting all our actions, remarks and achievements. Thinking about what we should have said, what people probably thought, and where we keep messing up and getting it wrong. The Lord is so aware of what we can fill our minds with when we don’t keep our thoughts fixed on him. The word tells us that Jesus is the light of the world, He comes into our lives as the light of life. He wants to shine into our hearts each day and bring his love into every area of our lives. When we live without his word illuminating our thoughts on a daily basis we soon find ourselves becoming overwhelmed by dark thoughts. We become critical of ourselves and others and magnify the bad that we see until it becomes much bigger than it actually is.
That is why the Lord exhorts us to think on good things. Everything about the Lord is good and true and every blessing in your life is a result of his faithfulness to you. In order for us to live a life full of joy and peace it is essential that we fill our minds with heaven’s reality. There is no strife in heaven, there is no fear in heaven, there is no anger or jealousy or bitterness. The word tells us that the Lord has more thoughts about us than there is sand on the seashore. What does that tell us? The Lord has countless thoughts about us that are all good. They are in fact beautiful, praiseworthy, the best and never the worst. The Lord is goodness and love; it is impossible for him to act outside of his nature.
So remember today that you have been given this same nature. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20. This life of love can be entered into fully as we learn to speak the language of the kingdom. When we meditate on everything around us that speaks of God, when we focus on the beauty of creation, the awesomeness of the Lord’s work in your life, the uniqueness of your calling and incredible words of confidence and hope that he speaks over you. You don’t need to look to the left or to the right and be distracted by the race others are running or feel that you need to compete to get the Lord’s attention. You don’t need to wallow when people mistreat you or stay defeated and afraid that life will pass you by. This is not the truth so do not allow your mind to be filled with such lies.
The truth is that God has an amazing life for you to enjoy each day, one in which he wants your heart to be immersed in his outrageous love for you, so think on these things. Everything that speaks of love and life is the Father sending you a message today telling you, you’re precious, you’re his beloved and you are of immeasurable value to Him.
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Unshakeable Hope Series – Exchange Church Belfast 2021