This article first appeared on DaySpring.com in February 2022.
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 NIV
In Philippians 4:8, we learn that God wants us to focus our thoughts on all-things lovely, all-things pure and all-things praiseworthy. And while it might take effort to think lovely thoughts, just imagine your mind being free from the confines of this world. We know that God is love (1 John 4:8)—and maybe, it really is that simple. Maybe if we trust Him with our whole lives, we can give Him all our worries and insecurities, leave them at His feet and walk away filled with His love and surrounded by His peace.
But, how often do we let negativity, envy, worry, and insecurities take over our thought processes? In this day and age, it’s so easy to allow our minds to race down a road of doubt, eventually leading us to feelings of fear and guilt. In this imperfect world, it can be hard to stay connected to the noble, true things in life. In fact, even when we are devoted to focusing our thoughts on His beauty, we somehow allow even the smallest events to distract us. The truth is: we have to make a choice—do we spend our energy on the ugliness that surrounds us, or do we focus our hearts and minds on God, celebrating His love for us every single day?
This Valentine’s Day, we invite you to change the way you think—not just during this holiday season, but every day of your life. We invite you to take every opportunity to celebrate His love. Maybe this means forgiving the driver who just cut you off, and instead of letting your thoughts lead you to anger, allow God’s love to fill you. Or, maybe it means letting go of your feelings of jealousy toward a close friend, and filling up with thoughts of praise for what God has given you instead. Whatever the circumstance, remember to pray and ask God to turn your thoughts toward Him and He will show a path that leads to a peaceful mind, filled with all-things true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.