One reason I’m writing is I do not want to forget what the Lord is teaching and moving through my life. I want to be able to look back and say, I remember this way God moved through my life. My Dad went to the hospital recently. And this is where faith moves in. I begin to repeat all the truth I can remember.

Honestly I can nose dive rapidly. I can freak out. I can spin. So, here is the beginning of my study on a verse from Philippians four on what my mind needs dwell on. Spoiler: not fear or anxiety of the things I cannot control.

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Philippians 4:8-9 NASB1995

So, we are going, well, I am going to go word by word. Gather the definition and look at all the references of how this word is used throughout Scripture. Teach my heart.

alēthēs– al-ay-thace’; from G1 (as a negative particle) and G2990; true (as not concealing):—true, truly, truth.

Let’s look at cross references.

““I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have come to know that everything You have given Me is from You; for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me.”

John 17:6-8 NASB1995

This is part of Jesus’ high priestly prayer in the upper room discourse of John 13-17. This prayer is before most of the disciples run from him in the Garden of Gesthemane. He prayed this knowing what was to come. He prayed for a knowledge that was solidified after his death. He thanked God for their faith, their belief that he truly was/is the Messiah. This focus sent them to places unknown, suffering unimaginable and sacrifices we have never had to make. They believed and in doing so, considered their lives worthless in comparison to the “…surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ.” Here’s the whole quote from Paul:

“More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”

Philippians 3:8-11 NASB1995

The apostles ( Paul included himself in that group) considered the loss of all things nothing compared to knowing Christ. Truth. Knowing, gaining Christ. Found in him. Faith in Him. Righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. Again, knowing Christ. The resurrection. The fellowship found in suffering.

It hit me last night as i was praying for others, how easy it is in pain to lose sight of the suffering around me. I become center focused as I try to find the right essential oil, or vitamin, or medication, or fill in the blank. And while, yes, I keep pursuing relief, it is in pain that I can set my eyes to the needs of others. Look, pain slices through the thoughts and I can spiral wondering about this pain or that. Yet, in doing so, I’ve transferred my eyes from the Answer to my question. (Spoiler: Jesus.)

There is a tension of trust in this moment, do you feel it? No one would blame me or criticize these thoughts. Jesus does not condemn me in them. What do I do with constant pain?

i keep saying this, having God’s word in my head has been life to me. I go through all the blessings of Matthew 5, getting them in order. Remembering I am speaking the words of Christ. (I wrote this a few days ago, just pause and consider this. His words in my mouth and heart.)

Having a list of people to hold up in prayer. As I think through this, maybe using my notes app on my phone when I am out to remind myself. Getting in touch with fellow believers.

“Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,”
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Ephesians 6:14 NASB1995

This is part of the full armor of God. It begins here, with truth. Starting my morning in truth. What a difference it makes in my day to open the word and start here. What if I believed God for these promises?

Finally, I started feeding the birds a few weeks ago. I am reminded every time they flock to the feeders, Jesus tells me to look at them. They do not toil or fret wondering where their next meal will come. I’m looking right now at a sweet little bird, nestled in the tree. Protected among the leaves. I have my mind on truth. Peace.