Lovely Thoughts
“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 NIV
Philippians 4:8 is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. Negativity exhausts me. Being around people who are constantly complaining tires me. I can hardly read the news—however, I did see a sign in a local sandwich shop that made me giggle. It read, “I would trust a sibling telling me the electric fence is turned off, before I trust ANYTHING in the news today.”
While that is funny, the news today isn’t. The world’s condition can be scary and disheartening. But the Bible reassures us that where sin abounds, grace abounds more (Romans 5:20-21).
God has not abandoned us. He is fully aware of everything happening around the whole world, and He is still in control. Are we in the End Times? Possibly, but we are definitely in our only time. This is our only life on earth, and then we step into eternity. This is our only time to share our faith, to maybe plant a seed or reap what someone else planted. It can be scary out there, but we have the hope the world needs. Let’s share it.
Lord please help us to share Your grace and beauty, Your love and salvation with others. Thank You. Amen.
Oh, how I needed this today. I woke up in the middle of the night and wept over relational struggles with people closest to me. I, too, am utterly exhausted by negativity and must constantly fight against its gravity pulling me down with the truth of Scripture, the grace of God, and gratitude for the many blessings He has lavished on me. I avoid the news for this reason, and read the opening of Psalm 37 when confronted with the bad news that sells papers or clickbait.
Thank you for the reminder of God’s complete control and my utter security in His hands.
Any of us that need a ‘pick-me-up’ should look up the mass of revivals going on/breaking out all over the world! Our Salvation draws nigh!!