Fix Your Thoughts

ByJim Stephens

Scripture: Philippians 4

And now, 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)

When I read this verse, I immediately thought about my daughter Stephanie and a conversation I heard her having with my grandson Jesse. We were visiting their home in Tacoma a few years ago and as our son-in-law Philip, daughter Stephanie, grandson Jesse, Jean and I were about to go out for a meal to celebrate Philip and Stephanie’s wedding anniversary, young Jesse had a bit of a melt-down!

Stephanie sat down on the sofa, called Jesse to stand in front of her, and quietly but firmly said, “Jesse, fix your attitude!” Jesse’s attitude was affecting not only himself, but the whole family, and it definitely needed to be fixed! A little more conversation between Stephanie and Jesse and he said, “Sorry!” and we were off to an enjoyable evening with Jesse’s attitude appropriately fixed! Good job, Mom!

I realize that Paul is using the word “fix” in a slightly different sense when he says “fix your thoughts on what is true.” Paul is instructing the Philippians (and us) to focus our thoughts on helpful rather than harmful things. But sometimes we not only need to focus our thinking appropriately, we need to “fix” the attitude our improperly focused thinking has produced. It’s not only harming us, but it’s affecting the whole family!

Without me getting preachy about this, would you take a few minutes and “fix” your thoughts on some things that are: True, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable, and excellent, and worthy of praise?

And if your thoughts have been focused on some other things that have produced in you a bad attitude, may I suggest that you “fix your attitude!” A simple “Sorry, Father. I love you!” will do!

Prayer:

Father, Sometimes because I haven’t fixed my thoughts on the right things, my attitude gets broken and needs to be fixed! Please forgive me for my unhelpful attitude and the effect it has on others and help me fix my thoughts on the things that will fix my attitude! Sorry for my self-centeredness that sometimes produces such an unhelpful attitude. I’m going to think better thoughts about better things! Amen!