A few years ago I read a fantastic book by Elizabeth George called, "Loving God with All Your Mind." It focused on the passage in Philippians 4:8
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
This passage has really been a huge part of my life--my way of life and my thinking. Many times I have to stop and focus on what is true in the here and now. Its not always easy....but yet its Biblical, Here is the post from a few years ago....
So far Elizabeth George’s book has been a huge blessing to me. It has opened my mind and heart to things that I need to work on in my life. In the first section she talked about Philippians 4:8. The main thrust of this verse she pointed out was “Am I thinking on what is true?” Meaning, am I focusing on Christ and His Word. Am I focusing on the NOW and not the past or the future?
I have to admit many times I haven’t. My mind seems to get ahead of myself and I keep asking “what if questions.” Elizabeth George said,
“Every time you hold your thoughts up against God’s standards on what is true and what is real…and then choose to ‘think on these things,’ you are loving God with all your mind. With His help, His Word, and His Spirit, you can triumph over negative emotions, damaging thoughts, and destructive attitude” (George 23).How true that is. I know many times I will get frustrated when my mind is not focused on what Christ wants me to focus on. When my mind is not focused on Christ I am not loving God with all my mind. Every time I start having the wrong thoughts I am not loving God with all my mind. When I think of the “what if this was different” I am not loving God with all my mind. In my Christian life to focus on Christ and to love God with all my mind--I need to think “what is true and real about God?” “What does the Bible say?” The Bible is what is true not my thoughts, not my feelings, not even my emotions. If I use my thoughts, feelings, and emotions those will not help me train my thoughts. What I need to focus on is God’s Word.
