Whatever is Excellent or Praiseworthy

The connection between our thoughts and our state of mind is real. If our thoughts are filled with negative emotions such as anger, fear, sadness, loneliness, shame, and guilt, then our body and emotional state will be dragged down by these powerful emotions. We experience the full effect of each emotion, which takes its toll on our bodies and leaves us fatigued and unmotivated. The body and mind track our thoughts and accumulate the negative impact. What we think about affects us in so many different ways. The Apostle Paul encouraged the Philippians to be joyful. He exhorted them not to let anxiety take control of their thoughts. He told them that instead of being anxious, they should present their needs to God with a thankful spirit. He assured them that, by choosing to let God have their anxiety, God would give them an extraordinary peace that would guard their hearts and minds (Philippians 4:4-7).

What follows in Paul’s extraordinary letter to the Philippians is a wonderful prescription for elevating our thinking. As a result, our thoughts produce positive emotions such as joy, gratitude, desire, hope, and love. Here is Paul’s advice: “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” (Philippians 4:8). By thinking on excellent things, our minds have the opportunity to contemplate these things and give us peace and fulfillment.

Whatever is true, we have to sort out the false from the true; whatever is noble. Here is a wonderful word that asks us to look for what has high moral character. Whatever is right. We need to focus on what is right, especially in a culture that turns right upside down and exalts wrong. Whatever is pure—unadulterated. We are bombarded with filth, and we forget that pure things exist—and God wants us to dwell on them. Whatever is lovely, we forget to look around and see the lovely in God’s creation. Whatever is admirable. When we see what is admirable, we are inspired. Paul says, “think about such things.” This is how we change our lives by thinking thoughts that bring inspiration, peace, joy, and courage.   Reading and memorizing Scripture is an excellent way to fulfill Paul’s prescription.

                                                                                              

Author of Crianza Responsiva:

https://www.amazon.com/Crianza-Responsiva-Principios-conectados-saludables-ebook/dp/B08FW8Q7D5/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=crianza+responsiva&qid=1610663595&sr=8-1

Acquiring a Long Perspective

One of the greatest blessings for a young person is gaining a long-term perspective on life. Eugene Peterson defined faithfulness as “A long obedience in the right direction.” The problem with our culture, and often with youth, is that we want things now. We want instant gratification, and we are not willing to wait. This unwillingness to wait robs us of so much in nearly every area of our lives.  Take money, for instance: if a young person develops a long-term perspective and is willing to work hard, save, invest, and wait, that perspective will bring rich dividends over time. This is what Solomon tells us: “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7).

First, remember that you are God’s steward and that everything you have and receive is God’s—you are the manager. Second, managing money always starts with a grateful heart—grateful to God and to others who have contributed to your life. Gratitude reflects how you feel about what God has done for you. Third, start small, but start: start saving, start investing, start giving. Never wait until you have more. Tithe what you have now—not doing so robs God. Fourth, plan to give. Plan to give each week from what you earn. Plan to give to missions and other worthy causes. Fifth, trust God to meet your needs. Trust God to bless you as you give to his work. Sixth, set priorities for what you want to accomplish with the money that comes through your hands. Reflect on these words: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).   

As you save and invest, time will be on your side, and the money and assets will grow. Being generous with what you have and being a good steward will keep you from becoming selfish and greedy. If you use your money wisely, you can be the lender instead of the borrower. Your money will pay you interest instead of you paying interest to someone else. This is what God promised Israel if they were faithful to follow Him: “The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom” (Deuteronomy 28:13).

You must be willing to start small and resist the temptation to get rich overnight because you will not. Take what God gives you and make it grow. Money is only part of your life—your life is so much more. It is your relationship with God, your family, and all the ways you can bless others. If, however, you use the money that comes to you in the right way with the right perspective, you will be a blessing to others in ways you could not have even imagined.    

                                                

Author of Crianza Responsiva:

https://www.amazon.com/Crianza-Responsiva-Principios-conectados-saludables-ebook/dp/B08FW8Q7D5/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=crianza+responsiva&qid=1610663595&sr=8-1