Think on These Things

Philippians 4:8

“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.”

This verse has taken on new (deeper) meaning for me over the last few weeks. For context, over the last few months, my wife and I have sold our house and given away almost everything we own in order to purchase a bed and breakfast in another country. We believe this is our next assignment (“calling”) from Jesus. It has been a long, complex process and this process has felt very much like the story of Peter walking on the water (Matthew 14:25-32). In that story, we all know Peter should sink into the water once he gets out of the boat but instead he walks on the water toward Jesus. Similarly, in the natural, what we are doing is crazy and should not be working out the way it is; we all know you “can’t” walk on water. However, God has been putting everything in place and helping us along step-by-step-by-step. It is as if we, too, are walking with Jesus “on the water.”

In Peter’s circumstances, he walks on the water UNTIL he starts paying attention to the growing wind and waves around him. As he gives his attention to those things (and takes his eyes off of Jesus) he starts to sink. This has been very real for us as well. There are countless opportunities to look at our circumstances, i.e. what “needs” to happen to make progress, looming deadlines, where provision is coming from, etc., and start to worry, doubt, or question.

When this whole adventure started, I had a strong sense of peace about all of it, “a peace that passes understanding” (Philippians 4:6). I knew, intellectually, that I should be curling into the fetal position on the floor given the myriad of details that would have to align, circumstances and perfect timings that would have to work out. However, I simply had peace about all of it. This adventure is not something that we could make happen. I knew from the start if this is what God wants, God will have to bring it about. A couple months back things changed and that overwhelming peace was gone. Well, it wasn’t gone it just was no longer automatic. It is as if I am on the water with Jesus and He allows me to see the wind and waves and allows me to start to worry or doubt. What is happening is He is inviting me to make a choice. I can choose to trust and still enjoy His peace OR I can choose to worry and lose His peace. Knowing Peter’s story, I know three things: 1. The doubt, worry, and fear – giving attention to the waves – is what caused Peter to sink, to stop walking on the water; 2. Either way, whatever my decision, Jesus still loves me and won’t let me drown; and 3. Given the choice, I want to walk on the water!

This choice is not new to me (or to you). Every day, often minute-by-minute, we have the opportunity to choose where our thoughts linger. Let me be clear, this is not about ignoring the wind and waves (the difficulties, hurts, wounds, and faults) that we face every day. Jesus tells us to acknowledge the pain and ask for what we need. Further, we cannot heal from past hurts until we acknowledge them and sometimes they require us to spend time working on them (even with a counselor or therapist).

Ignoring problems and trying to pretend they don’t exist is never helpful and is NOT what God would have us do. On the other hand, the constant dwelling on and talking about the wind and waves, the hurt and pain, is not helpful. More than unhelpful, if left unchecked, it can be devastating to our own well-being and even poisonous to those around us. I think we have all seen that problem in someone else. And, of course, It is easier to recognize it outside of us but I also think we have all been there or are there now.

Most often this choice is not a one-and-done. We choose to notice, to pray, and to not worry but that thing is still there, still in our face, and still clamoring for our attention. The situation (like walking on water) doesn’t make sense to our natural mind and all the flesh within us is crying out and telling us we are crazy for not being worried. Yep, I have been there too.

The answer here is to “take every thought captive and make it obedient to Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). “Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). The answer is to take control of what you allow your mind to dwell on. When you notice you are dwelling on the wrong things or starting to worry or doubt or fear, STOP IT! Choose something else. “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.” Find those things for which you can be thankful and dwell on that. Look back and see those times God came through and dwell on that (and thank Him!). The whole earth is full of God’s glory and there is no shortage of beauty, nobility, purity, loveliness, etc. We just have to look for it and allow ourselves to see it.

I wish I could choose for you but I have a hard enough time choosing for myself. Choosing our thoughts, what we think about, and what we dwell on, is a constant battle. I do have to say, the battle doesn’t go away and there are times when it feels impossible but, it is not impossible and it does get easier – eventually.

Today is a new day and you get to choose, too. What thoughts will you dwell on today?

FollowingJesus.me