With God there’s always hope. Because He’s God. Nothing down here can steal His power or negate His character. He will forever be the God who does the impossible — which always hinders my pity parties.
We can’t believe God to be who He’s revealed Himself to be and stay down in the pit too long. We can’t believe that He does (and will do) wildly redemptive things while also wallowing in the blech of life. You have experienced blech, right?
Though it will be a battle. Each day we have to diligently, purposefully think on what’s true and lovely and noble and good. Because what’s heartbreaking and earth shattering and life changing wants to take charge of our heart meditations, like a two-year-old throwing a temper-tantrum.
But in Christ we have choice as to what we meditate upon.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8
I know I go back here often, but our moment-by-moment meditations affect everything. They affect our mood and our response. They affect what our face does and where our feet go. They affect whether or not we experience hope.
It’s easy to follow behind all the wrongs done to us and think on revenge. Or to hear statistics and think on impossibility. That comes naturally.
But Jesus died for more.
He died and rose to free us — to give us choice. The Father sent His very own Spirit to indwell us so that we don’t have to lay down under what seems like a hopeless scenario. In whatever mess comes today, we still have the choice to think on true things.
Fill me, Lord…
What are you choosing to meditate upon today…regardless?
For those memorizing the Sermon on the Mount with me, this is breather week. Woo to the hoo. Praying it’s productive, sweet friends.
