What are you thinking about lately? Are you aligning your mind to Jesus and toward heavenly thoughts. Or, are you still thinking like the rest of the world? Are your thoughts consumed with fear? Do you still tell God that you can carry your burdens alone, and that you’ve got this?

All this discussion about fear and pride can become as heavy as bearing the burdens themselves, so let’s take a break and do a mind check.

I thought it might be good to stop and ask God what should I be thinking? We have discussed quite a bit about what we should not be thinking.

Yes, we should have the mind of Christ, but what does that really mean?

Philippians 4:4-8 is one of my favorite passages regarding what we should be thinking about!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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 ‭4‬:‭4-8‬ NIV)

According to Paul’s letter to the church of Philippi, we should rejoice in the Lord. And, in case we missed it, again he said that we should rejoice! In our prayers, we should also remember to be thankful. Even when we are petitioning God for something, don’t forget to be thankful for all He has already done!

Remember, if God doesn’t give you anything else. He gave you enough when He gave you eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. This life is only but a vapor. Eternal life is a lot longer than any suffering we may undergo in this world!

Paul finishes off with a list of things to which we can focus our attention. Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and if it is excellent and praiseworthy, think about such things.

This is the kind of thinking that brings peace beyond all understanding and it guards our hearts and MINDS in Christ Jesus!

We really do need to look up and turn all our thoughts to Jesus! Remember…the Lord is near!

Challenge: Write down a list of no less than 10 things that are worth thinking about. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!