Philippians 4
Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Our minds wander. We can’t help it. Our brain is processing hundreds or even thousands of stimuli a minute through our fantastic five senses. In the midst of a great conversation, a beautifully delivered sermon, the most engaging of lessons, or important advice, we can be interrupted by a stimulus that snowballs into full-blown distraction. It begins with the slightest tinge of pain, a quick movement entering peripherals, a muted rapping, a whiff of a smoke, or an unexpected bitter flavor rolling across our tongue. Our mind goes into troubleshooting mode. It begins to play out all of the possible threads to a perceived threat and searches for the worst case scenario, so it can prepare the nervous system to react. We place much trust in our senses but in turn, we create narratives that do not exist in order to protect our bodies from ill-perceived observation.
When we allow the responses to take over, we are experiencing, on some level, psychosis. The lines between what is fact and fiction begin to blur. We begin to believe lies and have adulterated perceptions. We begin to live in the dark and the undesirable. We begin to worship terrible and disgraceful moments we have self-induced. We think about such things, and replay them over and over again, fiction becoming “our” truth. I know it because I have been there. On my darkest days, I contort and twist every action into a gospel of fear, pain, and anxiety. Wandering minds, when not properly anchored to Christ, can be our undoing. First, and foremost, if we are in this place, we must pray for God to guard our hearts and quiet our minds.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” 1 Philippians 4:7-9
Don’t take the bait. Don’t respond to the stimulus. Instead, plant your feet even deeper into the foundation of Jesus Christ and stay. Dwell here, rent free. What is true? You are first and foremost loved by God. The Creator of the heavens and the earth is the Creator of your very life. You declare God with your very existence because he has fearfully and wonderfully made YOU (Psalm 139:14). What is pure? The blood of Christ has sanctified you. While there may be sin in your life, you are washed white as snow through repentance. There is no sin greater than the Lamb of God’s sacrifice. (Romans 3:23-24) What is noble? You have an inheritance that makes you a royal priesthood. You are from an adopted bloodline that will reign alongside Christ. (Revelation 5:10) What is lovely? How beautiful are your feet when you bring Good News, proclaiming that your God reigns and brings living peace in the midst of the tumult of life (Isaiah 52:7) What is admirable? You have not laid your eyes on Jesus, and therefore, you are greatly blessed for your belief (John 20:29) What is excellent and worthy of praise? On my worst days, God confronts me. He loves and comforts me. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He doesn’t take His promises from me. I can walk through the darkest valley. Hit rock bottom. And guess who’s there? My God. (Psalm 23) He doesn’t see me for my shortcomings. He loves the faithful, but equally loves the prodigal (Luke 15:22-24). He is the shepherd to the ninety-nine and the one (Matt 18:12). Do not be deceived by your senses or your wanderings. Let your mind dwell only on these things.
-Aaron Winner
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- When has being led by your thoughts and feelings and senses led you into a troubled place? Do you often tend toward anxious thoughts? What has helped you in the past?
- How do you rate at bringing every situation before God in prayer and petition and with thanksgiving?
- What do you let your mind dwell on?
- What does the world say is the secret to peace? What does God say?
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