When stressed...I find it natural to go to Phil. 4:6-7. For one thing...you can find it in your concordance under worry/anxious...HA! Okay, well...maybe I'm the only one who's mind totally freezes on references. Anyhew...for a reminder...it says..."Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:6-7
But...lately some things have been soooo stressful...that as I was reading...I just felt nudged to start at the beginning and keep reading!
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Emphasis Mine
Gee, well...no wonder God put that all together!! It really pushed me to the next step. You know when things are hard and people tell you to focus outward, on others, to get through your own difficulty? Well, that's what this is like...after praying and praising...I'm supposed to focus on the things (God's provided for me to see)...that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent, worthy of praise! Then...comes peace!
My Mom cross stitched this verse out for me when I went to college. She sent me out with the message, "Think on these things." I've had it by my TV...a good place to be reminded. I moved it recently to the foyer. I see it just as I enter or leave our home. It must be God's timing. Providential!! Lately, when I flutter in or out...it is just what I need...to be reminded...that there is peace in focusing (or refocusing) on what "these things."
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."
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11 comments:
someone else had this verse posted today too which is so great because I definitely need it today ... I've been so focused on everything that's been stressing me out lately - it's time to dwell on God's riches listed in that passage! :)
Wonderful reminder....
I love this verse. I added it to one of my posts last week.
Blessings,
Amy
This verse is just sooooo convicting! I LOVE it and I LOVE how you've illustrated it! You've got me really thinking deeply...My spirit has been anxious lately and the only PEACE I found was when I was praying and focusing on what was honorable, right, pure, lovely and worthy of praise! Not exactly what the world tells us, eh?
Clinging with you!
Blessed in my visit!
peace,
lori
Such a wonderful reminder.
I had that same thought a few months ago with Jeremiah 29:11. IF you keep reading....oh the goodness :)
Thanks for the reminder today.
<3
Ah, yes, this is one of my favorite verses and a lifetime treasure!
My Mom cross stitched this verse out for me when I went to college. I'm liking your Mom more and more... no wonder, she raised YOU!
Happy WFW, Bobbi. :~D
I love that verse so much. Blessings ~
Please feel free to regard this as a "God works in mysterious ways" moment. I just happened upon this blog, and just happened upon the cross-stitch pillow ... and you made me stop and think, stop and read the whole post. Thank you. It was something I needed to see/read/comprehend today. The picture on the front of your blog made me think of a wonderful coffee table book, "PersonalitTrees," that soothes the human spirit with its pictures of trees that evoke human emotions. Think "happy" or "elated" -- you'll see a tree that matches that, with a quotation to match. It's ... spiritual. And when you and your kids go for a walk, you'll find yourselves looking at trees in a new way, and looking for ones that show human emotion. I find the book very restful.
Yea, you are right...we have to really watch our thoughts. I was listening to a lady during the online "A Woman Inspired" Conference and she was talking about not listening to the "tape" but maintaining God's heart for us instead.
Thanks so much
I enjoy WFW
Take Care
The Whatever verse is one of my favorites!
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