Today’s scripture: Philippians 4:8 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (David Zier):
I hate it when I let myself get distracted by stuff that takes my focus, time and energy from the things I need to do to things that fill my mind up with clutter and are not productive. Not too long ago, I was feeling that someone was being nice to me because they had to be, but basically was ignoring me otherwise. No matter what I did or said, it was never good enough. Work I did was never passed on, ideas I was trying to work with were dismissed and belittled, and no matter what I was trying to do, it was basically ignored.
When all of this was happening, my mind would be occupied with thoughts of the things I would like to say. And perhaps even more than just things I wanted to say, but the hurtful reaction of the other person. Of course I never said anything, so the other person was spared and was never hurt. So in my mind, I am thinking that I was being righteous because I never did anything. I just THOUGHT about it. So, there was no harm done. Right?
When I read this passage in Philippians, it makes me realize that when I fill my mind with this stuff, I may not be hurting the other person, but I am hurting myself! If I take the time to let my mind occupy itself with these thoughts and ideas, for long periods of time, it takes my mind off of the honorable, just, commendable, and things worthy of praise that Paul is talking about.
I can take this even further and look back at all of the time I let my mind get preoccupied with all kinds of stuff. When I let myself get discouraged about something, preoccupy my thoughts with selfish motives, when I think about people that have hurt me and what I would like to do or say to them, it is amazing how much time I spend on JUNK! This stuff provides me no benefit, and takes up time and space in my mind where I could be dwelling on the good things, righteous things, and pure and just things.
Yes, I know our minds wander and can think multiple things at once, especially my multitasking mind. It is hard to think that I would NEVER have these thoughts that have plagued me over and over, but I think I can be more deliberate to minimize the stuff that is not beneficial to me, and focus more attention on what Jesus wants me to focus on. If I allow myself to focus more on what is just, right, and worthy of praise, then this will become more of me, who I am, and how I act. If I allow myself to fill my mind with junk, I wonder how this manifests in my behavior! That thought is scary!
As part of my discipleship journey, I need to focus on the kind of thoughts that are uplifting and praise worthy, and this will be beneficial to me as I continue on my path to full spiritual maturity. Focusing on the praise worthy, honorable, just, pleasing and pure things of God will also encourage me during those down times, so I can focus less on the things that bring me down.
Thought for the day: Am I focusing my thoughts on the right things?
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