Remember

“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; I the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” Phillipians 4:8

One of the things I have learned in a many years of walking with the Lord, is how easy it is to forget the good things of God. He can come through for me in the most spectacular way and then, moments later, I’m frustrated with something or lusting after something I don’t have. We are fickle beings.

Paul, who wrote this verse, came to Christ in the most spectacular way. He fell to the ground from the Lord’s presence. The Lord actually spoke to him and blinded him. Then scales fell from Paul’s eyes, and he could see again and was given a new name! Yet even Paul could forget. It is critical for us to constantly remind ourselves of the good things of God, especially in these times.

Remember the times where God has come through for you in a big way: times when you have sensed His peace and His presence, times when you have been awestruck by the power of His creation. Remember when you came to Christ. Remember His faithfulness, His unwavering nature, how everthing He says never comes back void. Most of all remember His love for you for He loves us with an everlasting love. Remember Jesus’s story of the prodigal son where the son blows all of the Father’s wealth, and yet when he decides to come back, the Father runs to him with open arms. Remember the Father’s love.

Remembering is so critical for us to guard our hearts from getting swept away with the world. When I was young in the faith, the big thing my youth leader pummeled into us is the idea of what you put into you mind is what comes out of your mouth and shows up in your actions. What are you putting into your mind?

Take some time to think through what you are filling your minds with through movies, magazines, social media, books, podcasts, television, or the news. If you feel a resistance to this exercise, maybe there is something in the previous list that the Lord is trying to convict you of.

Now spend some time “being transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Confess everything that you have put into your mind that is damaging or unhelpful. Remember all the good things of God and receive his love for you today.