Think about these Things

This article first appeared in the Volume 13, Issue 6 of The Global Voice. You can read the whole newsletter here.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is exemplary, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

“Think about THESE things…”

Truth. Honor. Justice. Purity. Love. Exemplary. Excellent. Praiseworthy.

“Think about THESE things…”

How do we do this practically? THESE are powerful concepts, but what do they mean to us on the day to day? The verse is telling us to THINK about these things, but not just as concepts. We should think about them in the context of the day-to-day; in the “ordinary.” These virtues are discerned so we must develop the ability to identify THESE THINGS in our everyday.

Try it. Think about the life God has given you. Don’t just dwell on the circumstance, but search for the truth. Discover the honor. Seek the justice. Examine the purity, and explore the love. Witness the exemplary, and laud the excellent and praiseworthy.

There are so many things that can preoccupy our thoughts. So much negativity in the world. So many challenges. So much pain and suffering. So many things that appear to go in the very direction we feel opposes our hopes. Seemingly unstoppable forces that prevent the good from happening. There’s just so much… but those things, are not the THESE THINGS listed above.

Deuteronomy 4:6 Keep them (God’s Word) and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and discerning people.

As God’s people, we’re to be a discerning group. Discerning the “these things” as listed above and being able to identify them in our world - thinking on them. This word from God will result in a healthy mindset for every person who implements the practice. It keeps our minds from being sucked into the negativity of life’s circumstances, and causes us to plunge ourselves into contemplating an alternative perspective to the present moment, based on wisdom that comes from God, and not our own eyes.

In this edition of the Global Voice, we’re going to highlight the good things that are going on “here and there.” Enjoy reading about not just the projects, but the truth, honor, justice, purity, love, example, excellence, and praiseworthiness of the tasks being performed by servants of God.