In the recent Mentoring Minute, I said, “God’s peace, at work in us, can guard our thoughts and emotions from the anxiety and worry that wants to capture us.” The Scripture I quoted to teach this was Philippians 4:6-7 (GWT). I would like to speak about the next two verses, in which the Apostle Paul completed his thoughts Philippians 4:8-9 (GWT) says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable. {9} Practice what you’ve learned and received from me, what you heard and saw me do. Then the God who gives this peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:8-9 provides us with two specific instructions that, when followed, take us from the beginning principles of praying and giving thanks for God’s peace, that we found in verses 6 and 7, to the next step. This step concerns practical actions we can take to insure that we have done our part. These are as follows. First, we are to focus our thinking (even in the midst of emotional storms) on things that are praiseworthy, righteous and pure. Second, we are to practice what the Scriptures teach us throughout Paul’s epistles. Acting upon these four verses in Philippians, Chapter 4 will bring God’s provision for successful living.