How To Be At Peace, Part 5

In our discussion about how to be at peace, we’ve been looking at a quote by a guy (Paul) who claimed to have found peace in the midst of persecution, being falsely imprisoned and death threats. He wrapped up his thoughts by sharing 8 things he claimed could bring peace by meditating on them: “...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy - dwell on these things.” Let’s look at a few of these.
   
First of all, this list ends with “dwell on these things”. The intent here is to stop, slow down, focus, drill down, live here and purposely put these things in front of you (which will, by design, put out other things).
   
Whatever is TRUE - for Paul there was only “Truth”, there was no “my truth”. Paul’s Truth was objective and his standard for judging this Truth was God. What is your standard for truth?
   
Whatever is LOVELY - thinking about or dwelling on lovely things does not change one’s circumstances, but it does change one’s focus. Have you ever felt at peace watching the waves of the ocean, looking at the stars or a field of bluebonnets, a sunset, an aquarium or a full moon? If you’re stressed, take a moment to change your focus.
   
Whatever is COMMENDABLE - you regularly deal with people committing acts worthy of punishment, and that can wear on a person. Take some time to find the commendable and focus on that...people who go out of their way to do good or help others even in the midst of their own struggles (you know, like some of the people you work with!).
   
If there is any MORAL EXCELLENCE and if there is ANYTHING PRAISE WORTHY - our culture aims low in these areas. Find and surround yourself with people of moral excellence and whose lives are worthy of being praised, “I’d like to be more like them in (whatever area)".  Who do you look to in this area?
   
I am praying for you this week that you can find these kinds of things on which to dwell and that they will bring you peace.

Your service is appreciated,
Pastor Rob

How To Be At Peace series Part 1  Part 2  Part 3, Part 4, Part 5