Through this holiday season, we’ve been focusing on one word from Philippians 4:8 each week.
We’ve been practicing “thinking on” the good things Paul described. We’ve thought about what is TRUE, HONORABLE, JUST, AND PURE. You can find posts about these on my Facebook page.
But this week’s word is one of my favorites from Paul’s list. It’s also one I struggle most to understand. Lovely. Thinking about lovely things sounds simple, but what about when people act so hateful?
Not as easy as it sounds then.
I could use a good dose of lovely things right about now. If you’re feeling the same, let’s take our focus on today’s word a little deeper. Let’s discover how to think on what is LOVELY when everyone seems to be in such a bad mood.
How to Think on Lovely Things When People Act Hateful
The other day on a trip to get groceries, I noticed something disturbing. I strolled up and down each aisle, like always. But no one smiled or said hello. People I knew passed by without small talk. Of course, the masks we wore didn’t help.
But even with masks, no one made eye-contact or greeted me back when I nodded. (My mask-wearing way of acknowledging that I see you.)
Everyone just seemed grumpy.
There’s no doubt most of us are feeling more tense than usual. We don’t have to look far to find things to be grumpy about. We’re even seeing people act downright hateful toward each other, which makes thinking about good things more of a challenge.
Instead of engaging in community, we’re avoiding each other.
But Paul’s instructions to the church at Philippi hold just as much wisdom for us today as they did then. The HCSB version of Phil. 4:8 says, “dwell on these things.” Then verse 9 shows us what we receive when we do.
“Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.” Phil 4:9 HCSB
It takes effort to fill our minds with the right things. Commitment. And when we dwell on the goodness of God, we will discover what has been available to us all along. The peace of Jesus.
How Do We Define Lovely?
In the fall my husband and I like to take a drive to an overlook where we can enjoy seeing the changing leaves. The view is almost indescribable. I could sit and stare at it all day. Thinking about it even now, I feel different.
This definition of the word “lovely” in the Merriam-Webster dictionary challenges everything I thought I knew about the word:
“delightful for beauty, harmony, or grace”
Every day we see things in life we’d consider beautiful. An eye-catching new dress or a bouquet of flowers. Things that make us smile. But what about those things that usher in a sense of peace or harmony deep within? Those things that cause us to pause and breathe in the moment?
That’s the kind of loveliness Paul is talking about here. “Whatever is lovely...think on these things.” (Phil. 4:8) The kind of lovely that reaches beyond the surface to the depths of our spirits. The kind that makes us say, “Only God.”
Like our mountain view on a fall day. Beauty, harmony, and grace. When hurt surrounds us, we need the kind of lovely that ushers in newfound peace.
Let Our Thoughts of Lovely Have More Space
Even though it may seem like hateful acts outweigh goodness these days, circumstances can deceive. The ugly things frustrate us. Our desire to serve in a fallen world means we tend to focus on those things that need to be changed.
When that happens, we can forget to trust God and remember He works everything together for our good. Paul knew in the most difficult times, the church would need peace to help them face each day with a renewed attitude. And so do we.
Let’s not allow our thoughts to give sin more space than it deserves, friends. Ugly things like hate, bitterness, and complaining need to take a backseat. Let’s give those things to our almighty Father and replace our thoughts with loveliness right now.
What lovely thing will you focus your thoughts on today? Something that ushers in a sense of peace, just thinking about it?
Blessings,
Kristine