"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Philippians 4:6-8
What struck me in reading these verses today if that they are about mental health. :) I don't think that the first verse is asking us not to be "careful" in the sense that we use the word today, but rather as a footnote tells us, "Don't be unduly concerned about anything." In other words, don't worry, right?
Instead of worrying, Paul offers the advice to pray, asking God for help as well as thanking him for the help we always receive. As we follow this advice to seek God, then we experience the peace of God, which is protects our hearts and our minds because we have chosen to shelter in Christ's protection by trusting in him rather than surrendering to doubt and uncertainty.
The advice goes further though, not only exhorting us to trust in God, but to fill our lives with good. Things that are true, honest, lovely, virtuous... these are the things that we are encouraged to think about. What great advice. I think too often we tolerate bad influences in our lives because we are desensitized to things that can harm us, or we listen to the poor argument that bad things are "reality." Good things are reality as well, and it is okay (and even suggested, as above) to focus on the positive aspects of life and to see the good in the world.
Today, let's listen to God's advice about maintaining our mental health, offered to us through Paul. If we start reading or watching or listening to something that affects us negatively or disturbs the spirit, let's work to recognize those things, and remove them from our lives, and replace those influences with things that make us smile and invite the spirit. Instead of worrying about things, let's turn to the Lord in prayer, trusting that he will help us and that things will work out according to his will, in his time. As we do so, God will grant us his peace "which passeth understanding" (wow), and will keep our hearts and our minds. There is no better keeper.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Philippians 4:6-8
What struck me in reading these verses today if that they are about mental health. :) I don't think that the first verse is asking us not to be "careful" in the sense that we use the word today, but rather as a footnote tells us, "Don't be unduly concerned about anything." In other words, don't worry, right?
Instead of worrying, Paul offers the advice to pray, asking God for help as well as thanking him for the help we always receive. As we follow this advice to seek God, then we experience the peace of God, which is protects our hearts and our minds because we have chosen to shelter in Christ's protection by trusting in him rather than surrendering to doubt and uncertainty.
The advice goes further though, not only exhorting us to trust in God, but to fill our lives with good. Things that are true, honest, lovely, virtuous... these are the things that we are encouraged to think about. What great advice. I think too often we tolerate bad influences in our lives because we are desensitized to things that can harm us, or we listen to the poor argument that bad things are "reality." Good things are reality as well, and it is okay (and even suggested, as above) to focus on the positive aspects of life and to see the good in the world.
Today, let's listen to God's advice about maintaining our mental health, offered to us through Paul. If we start reading or watching or listening to something that affects us negatively or disturbs the spirit, let's work to recognize those things, and remove them from our lives, and replace those influences with things that make us smile and invite the spirit. Instead of worrying about things, let's turn to the Lord in prayer, trusting that he will help us and that things will work out according to his will, in his time. As we do so, God will grant us his peace "which passeth understanding" (wow), and will keep our hearts and our minds. There is no better keeper.
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