New Year. New Beginnings.

Dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.  Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8 NLT) 

Some time ago Barbara, my wife, and I were at the airport to fly to San Diego to visit our daughter and her family.  In the process of going through security, I had my luggage set aside by an aggressive TSA agent who proceeded to tear through my stuff.  He found nothing to confiscate but left my small suitcase in total disarray. 

Later as we walked through our departure gate I was grumbling, complaining about what had happened and the TSA guy who had messed up my belongings.  Barbara stopped, turned to me and said, ”Get over it.” After recovering from my shock that my mild mannered wife was so abrupt, I realized she was right.  I didn’t have to let what had happened in going through security ruin her trip and mine.

It is an insightful realization to discover that thoughts precede feelings.  If I’m driving and a deer bounds out from beside the road I first have a thought – the deer – and then I have a feeling as a result of the thought – fear, anxiety, concern or whatever.  This is the wisdom the Apostle Paul uses when he wraps up his letter of advice to the Philippians.  “One final thing,” he says, “Fix your thoughts on the important and positive things.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”  Then he adds, recorded in verse 9, ”Keep putting this into practice.”  He concludes with a promise, “Then the God of peace will be with you.” 

What an incredible formula for daily living.  1) Fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.  2) Keep putting this into practice.  3) Then (perhaps only then) the God of peace will be with you.

A U.S. astronaut was asked by a reporter after safely returning to earth, “What’s the most important thing about space travel?”  The astronaut answered, “Take your atmosphere with you.”

What if today you chose your atmosphere?  Choose to think positively?  Scripture says you will have peace and the presence of the God of peace.  “Fix your thoughts.”

Dear God, for this one day give me power to choose to think goodness so that this day I may live a life of peace.  In the name of Jesus, Amen.

This devotional was written and recorded by Herb Sadler.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.