"Finally sisters and brothers, 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 (Philippians 4:8)."
Ironically, this passage is found in a chapter I am reading on the subject, "Transformation to Holiness." Basically the idea is that if you want to become a gentle, joyous, peaceful, powerful, loving, faithful, kind, generous, forgiving, disciplined person, you must refocus. God asks us to stop feeding ourselves on a diet of negativity, grief, frustration, hopelessness and anger.
The question is, "How do we do this in such a world as ours?" Hasn't the academy taught us that the only happy people are ignorant ones--you remember--"Ignorance is bliss." How do we as conscious people committed to the human and societal transformation not become overwhelmed with the pain all around us, created by us and others on a continual basis. The answer may seem simplistic but it was the formula given to the first Christian community, and since the church continues 2012 years later it may have some merit.
Focus on what is true, that is to say, tried and tested by your experience. Focus on what has honor in life, the right, the pure, the lovely, good reputations, excellent behavior, creativity, effort, what should be praised and lauded, spend more time doing that than complaining about the downside, the dark side and the loss and loser headlines. Dwell on this stuff, and your perspective, your personality, your character, your demeanor, and your prayer life will change from a "downer" to an "upper."
Peace - out!
Ironically, this passage is found in a chapter I am reading on the subject, "Transformation to Holiness." Basically the idea is that if you want to become a gentle, joyous, peaceful, powerful, loving, faithful, kind, generous, forgiving, disciplined person, you must refocus. God asks us to stop feeding ourselves on a diet of negativity, grief, frustration, hopelessness and anger.
The question is, "How do we do this in such a world as ours?" Hasn't the academy taught us that the only happy people are ignorant ones--you remember--"Ignorance is bliss." How do we as conscious people committed to the human and societal transformation not become overwhelmed with the pain all around us, created by us and others on a continual basis. The answer may seem simplistic but it was the formula given to the first Christian community, and since the church continues 2012 years later it may have some merit.
Focus on what is true, that is to say, tried and tested by your experience. Focus on what has honor in life, the right, the pure, the lovely, good reputations, excellent behavior, creativity, effort, what should be praised and lauded, spend more time doing that than complaining about the downside, the dark side and the loss and loser headlines. Dwell on this stuff, and your perspective, your personality, your character, your demeanor, and your prayer life will change from a "downer" to an "upper."
Peace - out!
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