Think On These Things

My friend in Christ, Johnny, reminded me today that no matter how difficult, hopeless, or overwhelming things may seem, I still need to fix my mind on God, and think on the things that He has promised me.

Finally, brothers, 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.Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.Philippians 4:8-9 (New International Version)
Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.Philippians 4:8-9 (The Message)
For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of [a]untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.Philippians 4:8-9 (Amplified Bible)


I've always believed that circumstances will not get you down unless you allow them to. I've been up against some difficult circumstances, and it's been very difficult for me to not allow them to overwhelm me. I cannot change things, but I can change how I react to them. Some of the promises that I am going to fill my heart with are these:

He knows me by name, and He knows my circumstances. When the future seems dark and perplexing, and I am feeling helpless and alone, He is at my right hand, supporting me, upholding me, and cheering me.I am never alone. He there with me wherever I go, whatever I do. There is not a sigh breathed or a pain felt that does not reach my Father's heart.If I lay claim to the promises that I have in Him, I will never know failure.I will not allow anyone or anything to steal my joy.He will answer my prayers in His time, in His way. I will hold fast to my faith and never give up or distrust, maintaining my confidence in Him - and the blessing will fall upon me like a shower of rain.
It has been said that "those who have borne the greatest sorrows are frequently the ones who carry the greatest comfort to others, bringing sunshine wherever they go. Such ones have been chastened and sweetened by their afflictions; they did not lose confidence in God when trouble assailed them, but clung closer to His protecting love. Such ones are a living proof of the tender care of God."
I want to be that living proof.

The Curse Of An Aching Heart

You made me think you cared for me,
And I believed in you.
You told me things you never meant,
And made me think them true,
I gambled in the game of love,
I played my heart and lost.
I'm now a wreck, upon life's sea,
Alone, I pay the cost.

You made me what I am today,
I hope you're satisfied.
You dragged and dragged me down until
My soul within me died.
You shattered each and every dream,
You fooled me from the start.
And though you're not true,
May God bless you,
That's the curse of an aching heart.

The dreams I dreamed of future joys,
You smiled on, though you knew,
Deep down within your faithless heart,
They never would come true.
Still further on you led me,
till my paradise I saw,
Then with one word you banished
all my hopes for ever more.

You made me what I am today,
I hope you're satisfied.
You dragged and dragged me down until
My soul within me died.
You shattered each and every dream,
You fooled me from the start.
And though you're not true,
May God bless you,
That's the curse of an aching heart.

(Lyrics from a song by Al. Piantadosi and words by Henry Fink, published in 1913)