For the rest, my brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things have honour, whatever things are upright, whatever things are holy, whatever things are beautiful, whatever things are of value, if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, give thought to these things.
Philippians 4:8 Reflection:
At the beginning of the year, this verse invites us to focus our minds on what edifies, pleases God and brings peace to our hearts. It is a call to transform our way of thinking, moving away from the negative and focusing on the good and virtuous.
As we welcome the new year, let us make a commitment to cultivate thoughts that reflect God's truth, love for others and gratitude for His blessings. Let's leave fear and worry behind, and focus on hope, justice and goodness.
It is important to be very careful about what we allow our senses to perceive and what we accumulate in our minds and hearts. One thought after another, one feeling after another, is like bricks that build a great edifice or like stones that, one by one, construct strongholds.
Listen to how this works: if you and I allow negative thoughts to enter our minds, if our senses are deceived by the enemy of our souls with phrases like, "I am alone," "God has abandoned me," "I am lost," "I can’t," "I can’t be forgiven by God," "There’s no way out," "Everything is a failure in my life," "Getting up from this will be very difficult," "It will be impossible," or "I am worth nothing," then we fill our hearts and senses with these kinds of words. These words become like stones, accumulating one after another until they become strongholds—strongholds of fear, strongholds of anxiety, strongholds of defeat—which prevent us from moving forward, trapping us like in a prison. Have you ever felt that way, as if something is holding you back, as if there’s a wall in front of you that prevents you from seeing beyond? If you have felt this way, I invite you to analyze what your thoughts have been like over the past few days.
What have you allowed to enter your senses during this time? Remember, one negative thought after another builds defeat. And you know what’s even worse? The longer time passes, the more you start to imagine worse things. If you receive a medical diagnosis, because of the stronghold you've created, you begin to imagine a fatal outcome. If a crisis arises, you start to envision the worst, and ultimately, you end up in bankruptcy or defeat. The book of Job says in chapter 3, verses 25 and 26, that what Job feared most came upon him. What Job dreaded most happened to him. When we think negatively, those thoughts join together and form strongholds—strongholds that imprison us in our own fears and anxieties, preventing us from moving forward.
However, if you and I make God, His word, prayer, and His promises our thoughts and daily meditations, we begin to build a protective barrier against any attack that might come into our lives. We construct a stronghold, but not a prison that binds us; rather, a protective stronghold. When a negative medical diagnosis arrives, we can confidently say, “The Lord is my healer; I trust in You, God, despite this diagnosis; I trust in You, God, despite the difficult circumstances.” This is because we have built a stronghold in God through His word, prayer, and His promises, making these our daily thoughts and meditations.
That’s why the Apostle Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians, chapter 10, verses 3 to 5, tells us to capture every thought to make it obedient to Christ Jesus. He also says we should use the powerful resources God has given us to tear down any stronghold the enemy has built within us. But to tear down strongholds or prevent them from being built, we must take every thought captive to obey Christ. That’s why Paul, in Philippians chapter 4, verse 8, tells us to think about whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise. And do you know why Paul said that? Because he knew very well that good thoughts change the way we live.
So, I invite you to become aware from today onward of the following:
- Bad thoughts, one after another, build prisons—strongholds in our lives that prevent us from moving forward.
- Be aware that if we think and meditate on God, His promises, and His word, we build protective strongholds in our lives. In other words, my friends, thoughts build strongholds. So, ask yourself: what are you building, one that protects you or one that imprisons you?
- Be aware that thoughts change the way we live. If you want to live poorly, think poorly. If you want to live well, then think well.
- Remember that only with Christ can we achieve victory over harmful thoughts. Because many times, those thoughts are stronger than we are. To overcome them, we need tools, weapons, and resources that surpass all human limitations, and those resources, tools, and weapons are only found in the person of Christ Jesus.
And let me close with this: do not allow your mind and heart to accumulate garbage. I invite you to join me in a prayer to God.
“Lord, we thank You for every person read this post during this time of prayer. Today, we ask for Your help in guarding our senses. Your word says we must be watchful so that our senses are not deceived. Forgive us, Lord, for allowing our senses to receive things that do not bring spiritual growth or personal development, but rather harm our hearts. Forgive us, God. Today, we want You, Holy Spirit, to show us what things we need to eliminate from our lives. What thoughts and harmful sensations have we allowed to accumulate over the years, poisoning us and creating a stronghold that prevents us from moving forward? Holy Spirit, guide us and show us what we need to renounce. Today, Lord, we commit to taking every thought captive to Your obedience and to tearing down any stronghold that has risen against us. Today, Lord, we commit to thinking and meditating on Your word and promises and to filling ourselves with You. Today, Jesus, we open our hearts to You. We recognize You as our Lord and Savior. Thank You for reconciling us with the Father and for forgiving our sins on the cross. Thank You for giving us a new life and a new hope with You. new life and a new hope with You. Amen
