Think on These Things
Quite often, learning to “think on these things” is one of the hardest things to do.
Real life takes over and before we know it, we’re ruminating, spinning, grasping and catastrophizing.
Philippians 4:8 says, “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.”
To which my heart cries, “YES!”
I want to think on those things. I know I need to think on those things.
Yet, when reality hits and situations come my way, choosing to think on these things becomes an act of obedience to Christ.
Learning to think on these things takes self-control, solid boundaries, and deep faith. It takes moving forward to the next beautiful thing. Even if it is not so beautiful. Even when life circumstances seem impossible.
In the inner quiet places of my mind, when I take a deep look at my thoughts, the struggle to “think on these things” is very real.
I know I am not alone.
The battle in our minds is fierce.
Over the past few years, I do feel like God has been preparing me in new ways, asking me to remain faithful in the hardest moments, while knowing he’s healing and bringing me back stronger than before.
Just starting Jenilee Rachel Coaching shows His mighty hand at work, his unrelenting strength carrying my heart.
Of that, I have no doubt.
When I’m battling to think on these things, I must remember the weapons I have to fight the battle well. To fight the battle in my mind and win. To keep thinking on these things regardless of what is happening around me. To not let situations disappoint, discourage, and deflate.
We are called to choose life, love, joy and hope, to think on these things always.
“Choose to be grateful for what is known over what is unknown. Every single morning.” – Jennie Allen
And what is known is Jesus.
Verse after verse challenges us to think on these things. These known things.
“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed… Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” Romans 4:18, 20-21
“I will go before you and will level the mountains…”Isaiah 45:2
“You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.” Psalm 86:5-7
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” Psalm 46:1-3
In my devotions, I’ve been reading a small devotional by Jill Holler. She wrote, “Through countless generations He has been faithful to those who have cried out to Him from unreachable places, where troubles surround and sin overwhelms.”
She also said, “Come and sit at the feet of Jesus even when the pressing responsibilities of life urge you away… let His peace rush over the worries of your heart. Nothing in the world can strengthen our souls like time in His presence.”
His Word. His Presence. Keys to fighting the battle of our minds.
The tools needed to think on these things.
The answer to worry, fear, doubt and overwhelm.
The strength to take hurtful, raging thoughts captive.
Think on these things
God’s Word is the way back to truth when thoughts travel away.
After a particularly challenging conversation I was having with myself, God led me to Psalm 94 ESV. Verse 11 says, “the Lord—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.” I read it a few times and thought, “Well, thoughts may be ‘but a breath’ but they sure seem strong and long sometimes.”
{Any time I’m afraid I’m getting too dramatic, I read things like verse 17 and remember that David felt free to express his emotions before God and we can too!}
I kept reading and I saw verses 18 and 19.
“When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.”
It didn’t say “when my foot slipped.” It says, “When I THOUGHT my foot slips.”
His steadfast love holds us up even against our thoughts!
When our cares are many, said and unsaid, He consoles us and cheers us.
Friends, we have hope when thoughts take over. We can win the fiercest battle of the mind with time in His presence and time spent soaking in His word. We can joyously overcome the deepest, strongest thoughts.
We can be set free from the endless cycle of inner dialogue with the truth of God’s Word at work in our heart.
We can walk in the freedom of learning to think on these things.
Every day choosing to think on things that are lovely, right, pure, true and praiseworthy.
Think on these things.
To help me in this battle, I’ve started 2-a-days with Jesus.
Designated time in the morning for devotions, my Bible reading plan, and journaling.
Then, designated time before I go to sleep for the Proverbs of the day or a Psalms, sometimes both.
I ask the Holy Spirit to give me a phrase or a verse or a thought from the morning and from the evening readings.
It’s those phrases, those thoughts, those words that rein back in my reeling thoughts throughout the day and night.
Think on these things
Do not fear
Trust the Lord
Rest secure
Start writing down the phrases and words and verses that impact you that day. Reread them when you’re in a full on battle for your mind. Play God’s Word out loud.
He cares for me
God loves me
God sees me
I am covered by God
These are life-saving, mind-calming, anxiety-stopping phrases. Only God’s living, active Word can do that for us and with us.
If we can grab onto them, hold them close, bind them on our hearts, we can think on these things.
A few other stories to encourage and resource you:
My Journey with Anxiety and Depression by Sarah Mae
Journaling Through a Depressed Heart by Dave Barringer
8 Resources When You Are In The Valley by Amy Young
Jennie Allen’s Anxious Thoughts Guide and her interview on Typology Podcast
“Sometimes we prefer familiar bondage to unfamiliar freedom. Lord, help me to step out from what I have known into the freedom you have.” – Dave Barringer
Leave a verse or phrase or word in the comments that is on your mind today.
What is helping you to think on these things?