Author's Notes: So I had finished all of the heavy lifting to complete my impossible dream of getting a submit a Bible plan to YouVersion (a.k.a. the Bible App) even though they aren't taking submissions. All I needed to do was to perform the final reviews and post. Of course that's when life gets in the way. My wife and I are in the process of international adoption and needless to say, there are times that are much busier than others. But it's time to stop making excuses and time to start making God a priority. Unsurprisingly, today's verse is on the importance of the proper focus.
I've reworked the format of the blog posts to provide more insights into what I drew and why I drew it. It's like getting to be a fly on the wall while God and I discuss His word through my mind's eye. It has been incredibly influential to me as well because it helps me to break down thoughts into words and dig even deeper into the heart of our Creator.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8 NLT)
Read it again.
Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable. (Philippians 4:8 GOD'S WORD® Translation)
WHAT STICKS OUT?
Action words: "Fix your thoughts"
WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?
>>> MAGNIFYING GLASS <<<
The definition of "fix" in this sentence is a purposeful direction, attention, or focus on one specific thing such as "fix your eyes on Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2). So when you "fix your thoughts" on good things, it doesn't mean that bad things no longer exist. It means that you are choosing to focus on these good things instead of the bad.
>>> IN FOCUS: MAN & BOY <<<
So what are these "good things" that we should be filling our minds with? What is "true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable?" Perhaps you think of your favorite memories or people who inspired you or selfless actions. These thoughts fall far short of the standard. What is good? Even Jesus said, "Only God is truly good." (Mark 10:18 NLT). Only God meets this requirement, and only actions performed out of God's love are worthy of praise. This praise is not for you, but for God. I drew this "good thing" as the cross the man is giving to a boy which is a metaphor for sharing the gospel, the "good news"! Recently my family has been breaking it down in a simpler, daily example of God's goodness that my wife calls a GGG! (Give God Glory) We take time to give God glory for what He's doing in our lives. This could be as big as a promotion at work, but normally God shows up in much more subtle ways throughout your day, such as that "coincidental" encounter with a person at the grocery store that had a word of encouragement just for you at just the right time. When you take the time to look for how God has shown up today, you will be surprised at how often He works in your life. The more you look for God, the more you will see Him. The more you see Him, the less you get distracted by anything else.
>>> OUT OF FOCUS: MONSTER <<<
When I take a step back and take a practical look at the idea of putting all the focus completely on God, the prideful fighter in me doesn't like it one bit! It feels like there is a monster is in the background just waiting to attack. I think to myself, "Ignoring the problem won't solve the problem! I have to do something!" Don't confuse giving a problem to God with ignoring a problem. What happens when you focus on the problem? Over planning. Anxiety. Fear. Negativity. Stress. At best, you survive the problem just to see another one on the horizon.
What happens when you focus on God? You give Him control. He takes care of you although not usually in the way your earthly mind would prefer. And in the process He produces in you: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control (Galatians 5:22-23).
There will always be problems, but our focus shouldn't be on solutions. We live abundant life when we focus on God and act out of His blessings that are "excellent and worthy of praise".
