Today, one of the sisters who is part of our family at the West Side congregation shared with me a few thoughts on Philippians 4:8 that I want to use as the basis of our article.
“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” (Philippians 4:8).
What happens when you sit in your house, day after day, watching the news and pouring over article after article about the coronavirus? You get caught up watching the politicization of the pandemic, the incessant blame game that seems characteristic of the media and politicians in our partisan nation. You get fixated upon the ever increasing number of fellow citizens who have caught the disease, or died from it. You get frustrated about the often contradictory information and instructions coming from so called experts and authorities. You get more and more worried as this invisible killer seems to draw nearer and nearer to you and your loved ones. You forget to heed and implement Paul’s words in the preceding verses, “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 understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
This morning that sister in Christ was sitting in her study, and looked out her window. Her rosebushes are blooming. Seeing the pretty flowers brought her joy and peace. She took a picture and shared it, and the beauty of God’s creation encouraged another.
The text of Philippians 4:8 shows us God’s plan in dealing with the problems of life. To avoid such debilitating anxiety, the Holy Spirit tells us to direct our minds to things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report and virtuous. In her email to me, that sister supplied some examples that I think are appropriate. She wrote about the number of people who have contracted the virus and are either not symptomatic, or have fully recovered. That certainly is a good report – something good to meditate upon. She wrote about the nobility of the first responders in the medical community. In Italy, 50 doctors on the front line have died after contracting COVID-19. Three of those men were retired or semi-retired, and became active again to help their fellow man. She mentioned her neighbors, who in their neighborhood are supplying food, toilet paper, and whatever else is needed to those in the area who are lacking. They are certainly worthy of praise! A few weeks ago a meme started on Facebook where people were sharing lovely photographs of exotic locations they had visited, in an attempt to distract from our current troubles.
Of course, the best thing we can do as Christians is make a spiritual application to these categories. What about God, His creation, our blessings in Christ, the Holy Scriptures and our love for God and man could we meditate upon? What in these areas are noble, just, pure, lovely, good and virtuous? These are things we should be meditating upon. And, in so doing, we can have peace.
One final thought, what things are true? Well, I know this one for sure – our God is in control. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
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