In this new year, what will we think about? As we saw in the previous post, who we walk with matters. But, what we think about is just as important.
Philippians 4:8: “Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things” (NAU).
Think of what we are constantly bombarded with, from media to acquaintances, sometimes even from friends or relatives. How much of that is negative in focus? From the ongoing fear of Covid, to political events—both within this country (whatever country one might call “home”) and abroad—how much is negative? Good news doesn’t sell, rather, it is necessary to proclaim the latest “unsolvable” crisis. Whatever is false, whatever is dishonorable, whatever is wrong, impure, downright ugly, those are the things we are told we are to dwell on, to think about.
In my own life, I’ve been spending much less time on social media the last few months. So much of what I see posted is contentious, negative, or sometimes even hostile (there are wonderful exceptions). The more time I spent looking at that stuff, the more negative and discouraged I tended to become. That is not helpful to anyone, including myself. Much of it is stuff we have no direct influence over. Again, that is not helpful. What we can do is seek to have a positive impact on those around us, those who God places in our path.
Even more importantly, we need to remember that we have an eternal future and a certain hope of eternal life with God. Whatever we may be facing here, in light of that future eternity is comparatively momentary light affliction (see 2 Corinthians 4:17–18). On the other hand, when we our thoughts are consumed by that affliction, whatever it may be, that affliction looms ever larger and comes to dominate our thoughts. Better to focus on what is true and honorable, things that are excellent and praiseworthy;
For 2022, what will we think about?
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