A Prayer to Choose Your Thoughts Wisely - Your Daily Prayer - August 31

A Prayer to Choose Your Thoughts Wisely
Written and read by Lia Girard

Bible Reading
"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 4:8

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You know the old “count to 10” technique, created to dispel anger that could lead to misbehavior? Have you ever done this? Or made yourself take a series of slow, deep breaths before handling a situation, so you could bring your best self to the solution?

We’re fallible humans, sharing a loud and overstimulating world. So it’s easy to see why our brains might get overloaded with things we didn’t choose to put there. Images we didn’t want to see. Misunderstandings we can’t untangle. Temptations that vie for our attention. Hence, we need a way to redirect those intrusive and often oppressive thoughts.

If God hadn’t made our brain so remarkably capable, there wouldn’t have been a need for Paul’s letter, aka the “epistle of joy,” that he wrote while under arrest in Rome. Paul most assuredly had a lot of feelings he could ruminate on, or thoughts he could catastrophize.

Instead, he admonishes us (in his letter to the Philippian church) to guard our minds by choosing what we focus on. Which is why it’s so helpful that he offered us his poignant version of the “count to 10” method. He walks us through eight different types of thoughts we can turn our attention to—instead of what might be negative, toxic, or non-constructive.

This verse is a beautiful one to recite internally if you ever feel lost in a tunnel of overwhelm, anger, or fear. Here, Paul acknowledges that you can be angry or terrified, and that you might even want revenge (all things Paul could have been thinking about in captivity). But you can also change your own mind. And in the process, welcome the kind of peace that surpasses understanding.

How? Paul asks us to focus on these eight things: What does God say is true? What is the noble way to behave? What is the right thing to do? What is still pure in my heart, life, or the world? What do I find so lovely that it calms and uplifts me? Who or what do I admire, and why? Is there an example of excellence that I can envision and appreciate? And finally, what deserves my praise? Your answer to all of these may be God. Or, it may be any of God’s gifts and creations that show you how lovely it is to recall joy, rather than brood on pain and anger.

This handy verse is a terrific tool for renewing your own faith. It asks you to practice a conscious and challenging act of free will to soul-search, meditate, or pray to experience the kind of peace God desires for you, regardless of the issue or disaster at hand. Which can give you the strength you need to battle your current situation.

Let’s get really real. Paul was expecting to be murdered by his enemies and wrote this anyway. He chose to recall that God secured his future. He wisely decided not to let fear steal his joy. In fact, he begins in the first chapter of Philippians by asserting that “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” So he offered this Philippians 4:8 technique as encouragement to all of us . . . then, now, and always. It’s our choice to think about what’s true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy,

Try it. The next time you find your mind locked down by a myriad of unpleasant burdens and thoughts, consider the choice Paul made while in prison. When you direct your thoughts wisely, as Paul concludes in Philippians 4:9, “the God of peace will be with you.”

Let’s Pray

Dear God, my mind gets filled up fast these days. It sometimes feels like a jumble of deadlines, bad news, unsavory media, sounds, and images I didn’t choose, and even fears about my future.

Thank you for reminding me in Philippians 4:8 that this mind you gave me can not only absorb, but it can also make active decisions. I can choose what I focus on. I’m so grateful you gave me eight ideas to replace fears, anger, worry, upset, and more.

God, I pray that you would empower me to clear my head today. Move me to make time in my schedule to purposely choose what I want to think about. And, please, keep showing me lovely, pure, noble, and praiseworthy things, so I can follow the path of peace you desire for me.

In your holy name I pray,

Amen.

Share your reflections on today’s devotional in the Your Daily Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: Getty Images/LoveTheWind

Lia Girard is a seasoned writer, poet, and voice artist who formerly served as Faith Editor for Crosswalk.com. She currently co-hosts the Your Daily Prayer podcast on LifeAudio, and shares her peaceful, reflective poetry inspired by the wonders of nature on Instagram @wildpeace.poetry. Lia enjoys life with her husband and grown children, and walking in the woods with God.

Related Resource: Praying Through Life’s Battles

What battle are you carrying today?

Maybe it is an unanswered prayer, a painful loss, a strained relationship, a health concern, or a circumstance that feels far beyond your control. When life feels overwhelming, we can become so consumed by our emotions—or so busy trying to fix everything ourselves—that prayer is often one of the first things we neglect.

This week on The Love Offering Podcast, my friend Rachel Wojo joins me to talk about her new 90-day devotional, Praying Through Life’s Battles. Drawing from her experience of loving and losing her daughter, Taylor, Rachel shares how prayer has sustained her through unimaginable grief and reminded her that she never faces life’s battles alone.

If you like what you hear, be sure to follow The Love Offering on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!