Dwelling on What's True

Philippians 4:8 instructs us to let our minds dwell on things that are true. This word can be used in two different aspects: real as opposed to fake or imaginary, and true as opposed to false

Have you ever stopped and thought about how much time you spend thinking about things that aren’t even real?

My son’s first job was working at McDonald’s. His first real night on the job was a Friday, he was to work from 5 until close, and McDonald’s closed at midnight. I woke up at 1:30 and my son wasn’t home! Believe me, my emotions and thoughts wanted to run wild. There’s been an accident! He’s in trouble! My mind was eager to go down a path of imagined possibilities, but I had to focus on what was true. God was in control. God loved my son, He loved me, and His plan for us was perfect. As it turned out, it was the night they moved and cleaned all the equipment in the kitchen, so my son didn’t get home until almost 3:00, but I was able to experience the peace of God by focusing on the real as opposed to the imaginary.

Women seem to excel at thinking about what others are thinking. We do this in a variety of ways--judging motives, quickly taking offense, being suspicious, wondering if a particular person likes us, etc.

When we set our mind on the imaginary, we set our course for worry and fear.

The second meaning of this verse is true as opposed to false. And where do we find the truth?—God’s Word. What influences our thinking more—the ideas of our culture, our own emotions or perceptions, or the truth of God’s Word?

Sometimes I might think—I just can’t take it anymore. You can define the “it” anyway you like—maybe trouble in a relationship, maybe health problems, maybe financial difficulties, maybe an area of sin where I continually struggle. That’s my feeling, my perception. But what is true?

1 Corinthians 10:13--No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.

Philippians 4:13--I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

When I am tempted to think this way, I am thinking what is false. Thinking what is true means that I can be confident that God will faithfully help me to endure my difficulty. I am not all alone in my struggle, I am not unique in my struggle, and I can endure anything that the Lord sends my way when I am dependent on Him and relying on His strength.

When I set my mind on what is false, even though my culture, or emotions, or perceptions is telling me it’s true, I have set my course for discouragement, and hopelessness.

What ways do you see people dwelling on the false rather than the true?