Inner Thoughts
Scripture Reading — Philippians 4:2-9
Whatever is true . . . excellent or praiseworthy— think about such things. Philippians 4:8
It’s easy to be a negative thinker in this world. But if we let negative thinking take hold, a web of dark, surly thoughts will incessantly whirl in our hearts. And if we
let these thoughts keep spinning and churning, we’ll pay a high price.
In our Scripture reading for today Paul makes clear that our thought patterns make a heavy impact on our inner life—what goes on in our hearts. And we are responsible for what goes on in our minds and hearts. So control your thoughts, says Paul. Break the whirling web of negative ideas. Rivet your inner life on what
is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.
Did you know that Paul was in prison when he wrote these words? (See Philippians 1:13-14.) If anyone could have found it easy to be negative, Paul certainly could
have. Yet he counseled his friends in Christ to think positively. Do you suppose he might have been addressing the two people he mentioned in verse 2, Euodia and Syntyche, who were squabbling? Could he be suggesting that our divisive squabbles might be resolved more easily if our inner lives were more positive, if we learned to focus our thoughts on better things? Try it today. Catch yourself, and think about what is positive and Christlike!
Gracious Lord, I’m thankful for the ability to think, but I’m embarrassed at how my thinking falls into bad habits. Set my mind on higher things for Jesus’ sake. Amen
About the author — Howard Vanderwell
Rev. Howard Vanderwell was involved in pastoral ministry in the Christian Reformed Church for 40 years, serving as a pastor in Iowa, Illinois, and Michigan. Upon retirement in 2002, he began his work at Calvin Seminary, where he helped train the ministers of the next generation. Howard and his wife, Eleanor, were married for 57 years and had three married sons and ten grandchildren.
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