Dark Thoughts

Dark Thoughts

Bible:Philippians 4:4-9

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy—think about such things (V.8).

Reading

I watched a reality TV show where different people talked about something they owned that was so important to them that they’d never give it up. So I tried to think about the things in my life that mean the most to me. There are some keepsakes my parents have given me; special moments with my friends which we videoed on our phones; even encouragements people at church have said to me. There are lots of things like this that make me happy. Most of us, however, also have a store of things that make us really unhappy; things we keep inside. Anxiety, anger, regret or bitterness can fill our lives with pain and misery. Why do we hang on to these things? What good do they do for us? Nothing. They only bring fear, resentment and selfishness, and yet they are so hard to give up. Paul gave a more positive way to ‘think’ in a letter to the church at Philippi. He said we are to actively choose what thoughts we set our minds on. He encouraged us to always rejoice, to be gentle and to bring everything to God in prayer (PHILIPPIANS 4:4-9).
Paul’s words help us see that it’s possible to push out dark thoughts. It’s not about ‘emptying’ our minds. It’s about filling our minds—with God’s good, pure, excellent words and ways (VV.8-9). When we focus on God and bring our dark thoughts to Him, the peace of God will “guard [our] hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (V.7).

SET YOUR MINDS ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON
EARTHLY THINGS. COLOSSIANS 3:2

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries