Thinking About Good Things

«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.» Philippians 4:8 (ESV)

Paul wrote to the residents of Philippi that they should take very good care of their minds. Check it out! Through your eyes, mouth, nose, touch and ear, you receive a lot of information every day: see images from the TV and the smartphone, taste things that are sweet or bitter, smell perfume or stinky feet, touch things that are soft and fluffy or rough, and hear the voice of your mom or dad, music that is quiet or very loud.

Some messages are good, others are bad; some are pleasant or unpleasant. They fill the mind and become thoughts. Your thoughts will shape what you will feel: joy, sadness, anger, fear...

If someone says you are beautiful, you will think about it and be happy. What if someone says you are not intelligent? Will you be sad? Ah! If someone says that, you don’t have to believe it. Do you know why? God created you and He made you intelligent. Believe in Him.

You must choose what will come in through your eyes, mouth, nose, touch and ear so that you have good thoughts. When we think about good, pure, true, righteous and lovely things, we have better health and it’s easier to make friends.

This is why Paul wrote about training the mind to choose the best thoughts. Be careful with what you say, hear and see. Smile more, be loving, thankful and forgiving, and speak, listen and look at nice things that will make you and others happy.

Let’s practice!

Choose three good things for you to talk about, three to listen and three to see this week. Ask your mom to write them down.