Today I was thinking about the day I drove home from officiating the funeral of my aunt. That day, I headed home, lost in thought. The next morning, I awoke with a heavy heart.
I knew I could spend the day working or at home, resting – but neither felt like what I needed to do. I didn’t really want to be alone with my thoughts. I purposed to make sure my mind stayed on good things.
Life is filled with choices – every day. Sometimes, every hour. I knew I had a choice to make. When the Bible uses the word choose, it means to join with – what we join ourselves with is very important, especially during hard times.
Yes, I know there is a grieving process – however, I also know we cannot let the spirit of grief overtake us. I had been there when my sister and nephew passed away a few years earlier – I didn’t want to go there again. And I could feel the heaviness trying to pull me down.
I made myself get out of the house and think on other things. I kept worship music playing all day long so that my heart and mind would stay fixed on God. It was the choice I made, the thing I wanted to join myself with. I refused to join myself with a spirit of grief.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8)
Virtue in the Websters 1828 Dictionary is defined as; The radical sense is strength, from straining, stretching, extending.
The things we set our mind and thoughts on must be things that bring us strength. Sometimes, during hard times, we must labor to think on the things that are of a good report.
There are days when we must make a firm choice to think on the things that will strengthen us and not the things that will weaken us. Or the things that will cause us to stay in a weakened position. We are not meant to remain there. God is our strength and as we continue to think on Him, we will remain strong. Some days all we can do is put one foot in front of the other – and you know what? That is enough.
Many of us have been through difficult times over the past few years. It happens to all of us, none of us escape challenges. However, we can make the choice to only join ourselves with what is good, lovely and pure. Only with the things of God. We must choose to seek His face daily and walk where He leads us to walk.
One thing I know for sure. Even through difficult seasons, God grants an amazing grace that empowers us to walk through them. It is the faithfulness of God. He will walk with us every step of the way. Faithful is our God. Faithful is His Word.
Friends, whatever you are walking through – remember to choose His way. Choose His Word. Choose to think on what He tells us to think on. For the choices we make truly make all the difference.
