What you really need to hear…….. is a word of encouragement.
I want to use this blog for good. It has always been my goal, online and in person, to help people.
I have been building a deeper relationship with God this year, so I wanted to share what I am currently learning and studying.
While re-reading the New Testament this year(my goal is to finish in December), Philippians 4 stuck out recently. Specifically in the following verses. Verse 4, where it says, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice!”
This is the NLT version. Now, I am not going to get into the “what version is best” debate since I like to cycle through a few, but one of the versions I like to read is the NLT. For the most part, I believe the best translation is one you understand! Anyway… let’s get back to it!
Continuing onto verse 5, “Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon(*Greek the Lord is near).” 6: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”
We know we are not supposed to worry so we should stop and pray every time we feel worry catching up to us. This verse is important to think about because we can often get caught up in asking God for things constantly instead of stopping and thanking him. Even realizing that we could be standing in an answered prayer right now. Instead of wanting the next something, why don’t we stop and thank Him for what He has done?
I try to remember to thank God daily, even in small minuscule moments.
Thank you, God, for sunshine.
Thank you, God, for rain.
Thank you, God, for another day.
Thank you, God, for clothes to wear.
Thank you, God, for a job.
Thank you, God, for providing.
Thank you, God, for your protection.
Thank you, God, for my family.
Thank you, God, for my friends.
Thank you, God, for life.
Thank you, God, for…
+ so on!
Think of your “Thank Yous” list and thank God daily! They can change each day; mine do!
Moving onto 7-9, “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me- everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”
Again, let me show what Paul says in verse 8 because it is that powerful! “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix YOUR THOUGHTS on what is TRUE, and HONORABLE, and RIGHT, and PURE, and LOVELY, and ADMIRABLE. Think about things that are EXCELLENT and WORTHY OF PRAISE.”
Our thoughts are a powerful thing! We are told to take every thought captive. We must be selective with what we allow to take root in our minds! 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV tells us, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
It can be difficult, especially at the beginning of your journey. Every thought that you have, stop and think, is this good? Is this productive? Because death and life are in the power of the tongue. That is why taking your thoughts captive before they are spoken is so important. It shows us that words have power! You can read that in Proverbs 18:21.
“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Proverbs 18:21 NLT
Learning this will take you some time, but you need to be mindful. You may think, “Oh, this is a small thought; it’s harmless.” But, no thought or speech is harmless.
Did you know our minds do not know when we are jokingly saying something and when we are serious? Another reason we need to take every thought captive before we speak it. You speak the direction of your life!
When you are in need of encouragement and don’t know what you really need to hear, make sure to go on over to Philippians 4 and read again!
What are some things you are thankful for? Let me know in the comments below!