“If you’ve gots the poison, I’ve gots the remedy…” –Jason Mraz, “The Remedy (I Won’t Worry)”

I’m not a glass half-full type of gal. I’m never really sure which is even supposed to be the positive expression (half full or half empty—aren’t there positive and negative connotations in both sayings??).  I always say I’m a realist—neither Pollyanna nor Eeyore.

But no matter your outlook, I think we can agree: 2020 has been a rough year. It’s been hard on everyone and disastrous for many.

Q & A’s

So is there a right way to look at this less-than-stellar year? And even if we don’t yet have a vaccine for the dreaded virus, is there an antidote for the woes of 2020?

For Christ-followers, whatever the question, we know God holds the answer. But we have to be in tune with Him and in His word to be able to discern His answers.

So let me start by saying I have never heard the audible voice of God. But when I start finding the same verse or scripture passage everywhere I look, often accompanied by object lessons, I know that God is speaking to me. It’s happened with lots of different verses and lots of different passages, and often times has had very specific application in my life.

In the last few weeks, the “answer” verse for me has been one of my favorites: Philippians 4:8. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

A dear friend even reminded me recently that I shared that verse with her as a favorite many years ago. As it’s continued to pop up in all sorts of random places over the past few weeks, I’ve found myself looking for what I need to learn from it, even though I’ve pondered it often over the years.

If all else fails, read the directions…

As you well know, I’m no theologian, but for Christians, I believe this verse is a mandate. Like most of scripture, it’s not phrased as a suggestion but more of an imperative. But you have to admit, it’s one of the more palatable ones.

Compared to some other charges, like “… if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also… “ (Matt 5:39) or “Bless those who persecute you…” (Romans 12:14), thinking on things that are lovely seems more like something we GET to do, rather than something hard that we must do.

I even often find Philippians 4:8 to be restful: what a relief it is to know that we don’t always have to be thinking about ugly, hard stuff. We can enjoy beauty and art and laughter and FOOD and all of creation to boot! We get to celebrate truth and goodness and excellence. 

What could possibly be the problem? Why would there even be such a mandate in the scriptures? 

It seems like we’d want to think on things that are pure and honorable and excellent all the time! 

Going From Bad to Worse…

But this year, with all of its tragedy and loss, from pandemics to natural disasters, to conflict at home and around the world , the tendency for us to dwell on the ugly, the unjust, the false, and that which is downright despicable is all too common. And it’s becoming a sort of contagion.

Just a quick hop on social media will give you a snapshot of how many of us are focused on the negatives. I’ve certainly had a good laugh or two over all the great memes about how rotten this year has been. But it’s no joke that some hard core negativity prevails over our better natures these days.

Radio and news outlets thrive on spreading the poison because it sells. A large segment of the population is sinking in the mire of division and hostility on EVERY. ISSUE. IMAGINABLE. And they seek to drag the remainder of the population down with them.

There is a better way

For Christians, I believe Philippians 4:8 suggests a better alternative, a really important one.

As a point of clarification, I don’t think this verse is about sticking your head in the sand and ignoring all that is wrong with the world. I don’t think it’s offered as a means of “escape.” There is a time for everything, including righteous indignation and sorrow.

I think Philippians 4:8 refers more to that on which we dwell. Where our mind chooses to park. We can look for the positive in even the ugliest circumstances and focus on God’s goodness and redemption and meditate on that which is lovely. Or we can get stuck on the vile, abhorrent stuff we see going on all around us and let it fester and poison our minds.

It’s EASY to get drawn into bitterness, anger, sadness, and injustice, even to the point of despair. And when we spend too much time on those things, we begin to lose our way a little—or sometimes a lot.

Think About These Things

As I pondered the idea of “thinking on things that are worthy of praise, I began to see that THINKING on these things compels us to praise the giver of all good gifts, the only One who is GOOD. It ushers us into a posture of gratitude. It puts us in communion with God when we are praising Him and thanking Him for all that is good. In other words, it leads us to WORSHIP.

It also leads us deeper into His word. So instead of being overwhelmed by “this present darkness,” thinking on the things of God and how His goodness is manifested in this world encourages us to keep “fighting the good fight.” To not be overcome, but to “overcome evil with good.” To keep on asking, seeking, and knocking. And I believe the scriptural immersion that results has a definite impact on how we interact with others.

Whatever is TRUE

So following the precept of Philippians 4:8 isn’t just pleasant. It’s essential. Just being optimistic won’t cut it. It’s about focusing on the TRUTH. The TRUTH is that God’s still on His throne. He is not surprised or shaken by any of the things going on in our world today. Jesus is still coming back one day to claim HIs own. And we’ll realize how temporary all of the suffering and trials were. And how our relationship with Him is not just A thing that matters but THE ONLY thing that truly matters. 

Theory into Practice

So lately, I’ve tried to pay a little closer attention to things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and/or praiseworthy. Here are a few 4:8 things I’ve experienced this week:

Gorgeous Fall weather, complete with blue skies, crisp air, and leaves crunching underfoot.

A precious Senior citizen who regularly sits in an upstairs window and waves and smiles joyfully every time I (and I imagine anyone else) pass by the nursing home where he resides.

My nearly-all-grown-up daughters engaging in ministry and inviting others into it.

My husband, who works hard to provide for our family, spending extra time hand-refinishing furniture for my daughter, among a million other ways he serves us.

Brilliant, godly women in my life taking out time via texts to share truths they’ve discovered in scripture.

Wonderful friends who have shown up a couple of days a week for months to help care for a friend living with a degenerative, terminal disease.

Broad grins on the face of the aforementioned suffering friend brought on by the smallest kindnesses, humorous moments, and even the birds and squirrels playing in her yard.

The warmth and purrs of a big orange tabby cat that loves to snuggle close any time I’m working at my computer.

Theological insights from lovely blogger-friends, as well as from dear, wise friends I see in Bible study each week.

Music that exalts the name of Jesus that I can take with me anywhere (jogging, cleaning, running errands, you name it!), thanks to modern technology.

So many countless other blessings and comforts that we take for granted on a daily basis…!

Your Turn

So what about you? Is Philippians 4:8 a soothing balm to your soul, or is it more a source of conviction lately? If I’m honest (and I try to be!), some days I don’t do so well.

A couple of weeks ago, I found myself bogging down in all the bad stuff going on all around us. Perhaps that is why God has laid this particular scripture on my heart at this particular time. HOW GOOD HE IS to remind forgetful me of His steadfast love!!!

Who knew that the antidote to 2020 is “20/20 vision,” i.e., the correct way of looking at things?? (Sorry… there had to be at least a million canceled conferences this year that lost out on the opportunity to use 20/20 Vision as their theme. I couldn’t resist.)

My prayer for you and me is that we may keep our focus on the One, the only One, who deserves it, and bring Him glory by thinking on the things that are pleasing to Him.

Peace & Blessings,