⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.

I woke up and someone had posted this verse. And my first thought was that these are the very last things we think about in a day. We pop on the news site and hear about the latest wars – Ukraine war, Israel war and potential war building in China/Taiwan. Then we get to the other news where each side of a political party is trying to outdo one another in the tearing down of the other side. Does anyone truly win? Then there’s so very much more. I don’t even have to tell you.

So how on earth do we apply this Scripture? Our minds are bombarded with that which is everything the opposite of this.

I know of some friends who completely shut off the news. They are observably happier. And yet I wonder how good is it to really have no knowledge of what is going on in the world? I had mentioned George Floyd in a conversation once and this person asked, “Who is George Floyd?” Then another one I know was making critical life and death decisions based on information from 5 years ago. Uninformed recommendation is not necessarily wise and good advice. And then there’s just the general staying connected with humanity and what is shaping us as a culture and engaging in that to stop evil. Praying and participating.

On the other hand there is the reality of this Scripture. Five minutes a day of Godly reflection on that which is good is not going to overcome a bombardment of that which is difficult. There has to be other ways.

I can’t say I have the answer.

I can say that I’m getting back into memorizing Scripture. When there are lags in time that my mind has nothing to focus on, I am working to recite Scripture rather than running straight to my phone. And at night I try to review the verses to give my mind something to think about.

I was thinking even this week that I would like to start on a journal again. The ones that I made (see Books) are personalized verses. I started it and it was powerful. I need to get back into memorizing.

And perhaps there are other things I can do. Like exercising more and taking care of my health and body.

It will all be individual for each of us. But make no mistake, it is in these days and times an all out war on our minds. That’s where the battleground is in every way. A war for us to think certain ways so we do certain things.

More than ever before we need the mind and thoughts of God.

And instead of dramatic, huge changes that only last a couple of weeks, maybe we can start slowly squeezing the levels of ungodliness out by our small choices that compound.

What are you doing to obey this Scripture?