We find plenty of scriptures that teach on the importance of our thoughts but, there is a chapter that particularly speaks to me \u2013 Philippians, chapter 4. Perhaps it\u2019s because there is a promise contained in an \u201cIf, then<\/em> statement\u201d that the God of peace will be with you <\/strong>and me<\/em>. It\u2019s a sort of roadmap for our thought life that if we follow<\/em>, holds the promise that \u201cthe peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.\u201d I desire that!<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s safe to say that we live in a world that is desperate for God\u2019s peace, His love, joy and freedom and we as His followers get to share the hope found in Jesus with those in our lives. But, if we are honest we too can fall into the statistics mentioned above, if we are not intentionally<\/em> doing something about it. We can become discouraged or jaded. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We live in this world that is filled with trouble of every kind and if we are engaging our culture, we will be fully aware of the hopelessness that abounds. It\u2019s why so many people are checking out or worse yet, giving up. (PS: THIS is EXACTLY why we do what we do here at STAR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, back to Philippians for a moment. Here is what it says in chapter 4<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable\u2014if anything is excellent or praiseworthy\u2014think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me\u2014put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you<\/em>.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n So that\u2019s the list we were given:<\/p>\n\n\n\n True. Noble. Right. Pure. Lovely. Admirable. Excellent. Praiseworthy<\/p>\n\n\n\n The scripture says to think about such things.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The challenge is that our minds are like bustling cities, teeming with thoughts\u2014some positive, some negative. As followers of Jesus, we\u2019re called to guard our thought life. I\u2019m a visual learner and this visual has helped me: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Have you ever been to a venue that required you to be on the \u201cguest list\u201d in order to get in the door? The bouncer at the door (usually a big, tough looking guy) was at the door to ensure that only those on the list would get in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Can you picture it? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Someone shows up and is not on the guest list and the bouncer says, \u201coutta here\u201d, sorry but you are not on the list. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What if we set up a \u201cbouncer\u201d at the door of our minds that ensured that only thoughts on the Philippians’ list would be allowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s re-read the \u201cguest list\u201d that Paul describes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFinally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable\u2014if anything is excellent or praiseworthy\u2014think about such things<\/strong>.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Negative thoughts will come at us but, since they are NOT on the list, they simply won\u2019t get invited in! We will acknowledge their presence but, we don\u2019t need to welcome them in for coffee and spend time with them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n How different will our approach to our days be when we put this scripture into practice? Our thought life shapes our actions, emotions, and spiritual well-being. I don\u2019t know about you but, I want the biggest, toughest bouncer at the door of my mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the stats, only a tiny fraction of thoughts\u20140.01% are actually positive<\/strong>! That\u2019s around 6 positive thoughts out of every 60,000. Yikes. But, I\u2019m extremely thankful that God teaches us a better way to live!<\/p>\n\n\n\n As followers of Jesus, we have the formula for peace. Let\u2019s not be passive about this. Let\u2019s intentionally dwell<\/strong> on thoughts that honor our God<\/a>, uplift others, and bring peace to our hearts and minds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/upliftingstar.com\/star1015denver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/ROTATOR-Share-Pray-Give2-1024x341.png\")
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