Weekend Words

From Water My Soul (90 Meditations from an Old Order Mennonite) - Darla Weaver

Our Thoughts

Philippians 4:4-9; 2 Corinthians 10:5

Matthan has never been to California, but he already knows it is a terrible place.

First, the thought of earthquakes terrifies him, and California has lots of earthquakes.  Next, one of his books is about a raging fire that consumed entire neighbourhoods - in California, of course.  And then he found a picture of a large poisonous lizard.  "Those don't live here," Laverne assured him.  "They live in dry desert areas, like parts of California."

That did it.  "I'm never going to California," Matthan told me.  "It has too many awful things."

A quotation from Barbara Garrison, one often seen on stickers or posters, says it well: "Fear grows out of the things we think.  It lives in our minds."

Many centuries earlier, Solomon mentioned the same thing, "For as [a person] thinketh in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7)

What we feed our minds is what our mind turns around and feeds us.  Thinking fearful thoughts all day long will make us fearful.  Sad thoughts will make us depressed.  Dwelling on everything that is wrong is enough to deject anyone.

But it also works the opposite way.  Thinking of praise, gratitude, and worship or dwelling on joyous and happy thoughts will brighten one's heart and spirit.  Think happy thoughts if you want to be happy.

A touch too simplistic?  Yet it works.  What we dwell on is what we become in our thoughts, and it spills over into words and actions.  

In todays scripture reading, Philippians 4:8 instructs us on the whereabouts of our thoughts: "Whatsoever things are true...honest...just...pure...lovely...of good report...virtue...praise, think on these things."

As Christians we're commanded to "[bring] into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5) and to dwell on things that are pleasing to God.  Obviously, when I'm focusing on things that discourage, depress, anger, or deject, I'm not focusing on things that are positive.

If I fill my mind with bitterness or with fears, I'm just like Matthan, who has never seen the magnificent coastline of California or it's mountains, forests and parks of superlative beauty.  I miss so much that is good in life if I choose instead to dwell on the terrible and the unjust.

Thoughts follow well-worn grooves in the mind, so it takes much effort and self-discipline to develop healthy thinking patterns.  But no one has to do this alone: "My help cometh from the Lord" (Psalm 121:2)

God is always ready and willing to help us if we ask.  Such a thought is true, just, pure, and lovely to dwell on.