Well, did you find yourself praying Philippians 4:4-7 last week? I have to say I prayed it several times as I needed to be reminded of the words, “Do not be anxious about anything…” often over the course of the week.

This week we are going to look at the next two verses as we continue to take the challenge to think differently. Philippians 4:8-9 reads, “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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

This is another incredibly difficult verse to live out unless we start to think drastically different! I don’t know about you, but my mind doesn’t naturally drift towards whatever is noble, pure, and lovely. I tend–especially when I am busy and tired–to think the exact opposite of nobleness and purity. But, I know that the same Spirit who inspired Paul to write these words is available to me–and to you!! It is through that Spirit that we can “train” our thought-life. I really think “train” is the right word here. Just like our physical bodies need training to get and stay in shape, our minds also need to be trained to think in a Christ-like manner.

We also must guard what we let enter into our minds. Often times, I get angry that I am struggling with a certain temptation. When I really stop to think about why I am struggling, it is often times because I was lax in my judgement earlier and let something in that I shouldn’t have. These thoughts need to be replaced with something pure and holy. It is then that I can begin to think “about such things.”

I am getting a new notecard for this week for Philippians 4:8-9. Will you join me in taking the challenge to think differently again this week? The reward at the end of verse nine should be all the motivation we need–“And the God of peace will be with you.”

More to come,
Jeremy