Mindful Thinking

Good morning.

It's another Monday. Time is slipping away. Half of September is over. I am already dreading an appointment I have next week. Anxiety is creeping into my shoulders. That's not the way to start a new week. It's time for a mind adjustment!

Let's start again. What a beautiful September morning. It is going to be warm and lovely. There are a few leaves beginning to show a change in color. The corn fields are changing from green to brown. Pumpkins are popping up everywhere you look. Apple picking has begun in orchards around the area. Pumpkin-flavored everything is on the shelves and in coffee shops.

"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." (Philippians 4:8 NIV) 

Our mindset can make such a difference in our days. As the sun rises above the cityscape or countryside, a new day begins. Lights appear in windows, cars and trucks enter the streets, big yellow buses display their flashing red lights at the corner, children climb aboard with backpacks full and ready for a new week.

The author of Philippians, Paul, reminds us that we need to be cautious of what we put in our minds. I remember when I worked as a nurse aide, back when I was young, I was surrounded by co-workers who used terrible language. After I worked there for some time, I, too, began to use bad words. I knew that was wrong but I was being fed evil words everyday. It really matters what we listen to, watch, or are surrounded by. I had to replace the bad with good. I read God's Word and prayed for evil to be replaced by good.

Paul wrote the book of Philippians to share that, even though he was in prison, he found joy in Jesus Christ, and we could, too!

Gracious God, my heart is filled with thanks for all the good I have in my life. Thank You for teachers, like Paul, who feed me good news. Thank You for reminding me to fill my life with Your Word each day and to focus on what is noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. Thank You for the forgiveness that is available through Jesus Christ, my Savior. I pray in the beautiful Name of Jesus, Amen.

#1133 gds