Encouraging yourself in the Lord Pt 5

What more can we do to encourage ourselves in the Lord during pressing times?  Plenty!  Let’s talk about another one.  The reference for this is found in Phil. 4:8-9, which reads, ‘ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.’
Where does your mind go if you let it wander?  I know that, as for me, my mind tends to wander to my problems and the things I need to solve . . . my worries.  Well, it seems that the Lord doesn’t want us to dwell on these things.  Last week we talked about meditating on God’s Word in order to encourage ourselves.  This week we’ll broaden that to include everything that we let run through our heads.  All that stuff will either encourage us or, in the case of our problems, discourage us if we meditate too long on them.
This verse gives us a virtual laundry list of things that, if we meditate on these things, will have the peace of God filling us.  It talks about that which is true.  We may have difficult circumstances, but the truth of the matter is that God is in control.  If He is in control, then we needn’t work.  So, when you’re tempted to fret tell yourself the truth.  God’s got this.  It also encourages us to meditate on things that are noble, just, pure, lovely, that which is of good report, virtuous things, and praiseworthy things.  If you will realign your thinking to meditate on these things, if you’ll capture every thought and bring it into submission, if you’ll think these kinds of things, you’ll have peace.  You’ll be encouraged.
I know, it’s a lifetime of work to get yourself thinking that way, but these things are all around us.  Grasp them.  Meditate on them.  To whatever extent that you succeed, you’ll constantly encourage yourself with the goodness of God and His mighty works.  Fill your mind with this.  When you feel it wandering, slipping into negativity of sin, bring it back.  Retrain your mind to think good thoughts . . . God’s thoughts.  You’ll find peace.  You’ll encourage yourself.
Add this tool to your tool kit.  Along with singing godly songs, giving thanks, using God’s Word, also now, think good, godly thoughts.  Learn to bring those things up especially when it seems like you’re under attack, when you might be discouraged, and the peace of God will be with you.  You’ll be encouraged.  More to come.