Philippians 4:6-9 … “Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” vs.8
Over the last few weeks, as we’ve dealt with the pandemic and the presidential election campaign, many have become despondent at the tone and the mood of social discourse. As rhetoric grows more harsh and divisions solidify it gets harder and harder to rejoice in the Lord and to maintain a spirit of gentleness. The Apostle Paul would likely be one of those encouraging withdrawal from the daily accounts of accusations, exaggerations, and violent upheavals that we get from the news media. At the very least he would say that we need to curb our intake! Atmospheric pollution can ruin our lungs, but political pollution damages our souls. As he said to the Philippians he says to us, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Can we find such things in the turmoil and nonsense of the current environment? Of course, the Lord is near! All around us, every day, we see opportunities for praise and thanksgiving. We can lift spirits, calm anxieties, curb fears, and sometimes all it takes is a smile, a listening ear, and a word of love.
Thought for the Day: What will I think about today?
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