I have been really challenged by a book I’m reading right now. It’s called Loving God with All Your Mind and written by Elizabeth George.
I’m only about a fourth of the way through the book, but the first key point is really challenging the way that I think. The author writes about truly understanding and obeying Philippians 4:8:
“Finally, brothers, 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.”
She focuses on the word true, writing about how we are commanded to think about things that are true and real – not things that we wish were true and not things that we fear could become true. She emphasizes the fact that the truth and reality are NOT the past or the future, not worries, and not fantasies that we wish would come true.
George writes that we need to focus on reality, what is true in the present. Too often, we focus on what we wish was reality (I wish I didn’t have so many chores to do, I wish that my old clothes still fit, etc.). When we do that, not only are we going against what God commands us to do, but we are also draining precious energy that we could be using to CHANGE the current reality that is troubling us. We should channel the energy we are using to lament and feel discouraged about the truth to change the things that are bothering us. For example, we could tackle those chores or exercise.
God (through George) is reminding me that our thoughts are important and can determine a lot of things, including our attitudes and how we feel, how we make others feel, and our actions.
Be encouraged and reminded of the truth today! If you don’t like whatever truth or reality you are facing, remember that you have the power, though God’s strength, to change it…and it all begins with prayer and your mind!
I’m only about a fourth of the way through the book, but the first key point is really challenging the way that I think. The author writes about truly understanding and obeying Philippians 4:8:
“Finally, brothers, 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.”
She focuses on the word true, writing about how we are commanded to think about things that are true and real – not things that we wish were true and not things that we fear could become true. She emphasizes the fact that the truth and reality are NOT the past or the future, not worries, and not fantasies that we wish would come true.
George writes that we need to focus on reality, what is true in the present. Too often, we focus on what we wish was reality (I wish I didn’t have so many chores to do, I wish that my old clothes still fit, etc.). When we do that, not only are we going against what God commands us to do, but we are also draining precious energy that we could be using to CHANGE the current reality that is troubling us. We should channel the energy we are using to lament and feel discouraged about the truth to change the things that are bothering us. For example, we could tackle those chores or exercise.
God (through George) is reminding me that our thoughts are important and can determine a lot of things, including our attitudes and how we feel, how we make others feel, and our actions.
Be encouraged and reminded of the truth today! If you don’t like whatever truth or reality you are facing, remember that you have the power, though God’s strength, to change it…and it all begins with prayer and your mind!
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