I find myself thinking about something these days. I’ll let you guess what it is. I talk about it, I read emails about it, I make decisions because of it. I think about how others respond to it. It shapes where I shop, what I do, and how I feel. And I don’t watch TV and I’m not on social media! Nevertheless, I find myself overwhelmed by it. Maybe it’s just me.
But if it’s not just me, if you are overwhelmed by it too, I have an idea for you. Actually, it’s not my idea. It’s Gods… he has the best ideas… Turn your mind to something else. Here are some ideas from Philippians 4:8: Whatever is 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.
The challenge is that when other unspoken things overwhelm us, it becomes much harder to focus on anything else. It helps to do some preparation. Some people have prepared by hoarding toilet paper. You will prepare your mind. Take time right now to fill in these blanks:
Something that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.
When you feel pulled into the mire of these “unprecedented” times, return to your list. Let your mind rest on one of those things. And when the chaos pulls you back in, return to the list again.
Psychologists call this, “turning the mind.” The bible calls it, “meditation.” Whatever you call it, may it bring you grace and peace in all that is now upon us and all that will come.
Dr. Veronica Johnson, March 2020
