“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8 AKJV
Father…it’s easy these days, for anyone who looks around at the things going on, to become frustrated and angry.
One would have thought that at some point in the day to day issues that people have with one another a point would have been reached where we would know what is true and what is not. But it’s just not happening.
This one says one thing and someone else says something else. And for some reason, though we know better, we continue to think that someone, some man or group, will come forward with a way that will make everything all right for everyone.
If that hasn’t happened Father by now…why do we think it ever will? Why are we not suspicious or skeptical in light of what we know about man’s history of solving problems, skeptical when someone comes along and proclaims they know what’s wrong, who's wrong and they have the answers?
It’s troubling Father, living with one another and not knowing what to believe about the problems we have or right solutions for dealing with them, be they in our nation, at work, with friends, even individually within families.
We walk around and in the back of our minds there is spirit that troubling thoughts feed and it affects our sense of well being, our ability to be care free.
It is these thoughts, these negative thoughts, real and imagined in our minds that we choose to engage in that affect our state of mind and heart and make us downcast.
Father, when the lure of these kinds of thoughts is there before us and we are in some way tempted to nurture them may Your Spirit in us stir, stir violently and may we rebuke the train of thought, refuse to continue in it.
May we remember troubles are a part of life. We are going to experience disappointment and failures via man’s guidance whether they mean it for sincere good or evil.
But man and his ways are not the means to our peace of mind. Your hand, Your heart and mind, these are evident in Your creation… and the good that is possible one to another, when united with You is real… these things exist, and these things too can be what we choose to focus on.
This is our trust and this is the place we go to defeat a downcast spirit within.
It is what we do in the hope that our spirit of trust and focus on Your Good will touch and uplift others.
Father…thank You for Your care and the comfort You give us.
Thank You Father.
In Yeshua’s name we pray.
Amen.
May God’s love be in us all.
Elder.
