Don’t let your circumstances get you down!

“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable,  whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,  whatever is commendable.  If there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (from Philippians 4) It doesn’t say to think about how bad you are doing financially.  It doesn’t say think about how much you are in pain.  It doesn’t say think about how you are struggling with the pain of a hurtful relationship – yes, those things are real and I am not discrediting them, but what I am saying is: don’t focus on them! Don’t allow them to dominate your life and take all your attention!

How do you deal with a problem?  Well, you obviously have to figure out what the problem is and everything about the problem. And after analyzing the problem and focusing on the problem and finding out all about the history of the problem, and becoming so familiar with the problem,  that you need to educate yourself out of that because you are stuck there, then find a solution for the problem or many solutions you can choose from.  Or go for spiritual housecleaning. No, none of that! 

These scriptures are saying to direct your focus and attention to “whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,  whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, anything of excellence, anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”  

As soon as you start hearing lies in your head find scriptures that counteract those lies and then quote the scripture, and meditate on those truths. No need to focus on the lie. Focus on the solution, not the problem. Peace is the result of where your focus is at. Where your mind goes your heart follows. 

If you don’t like where your heart is at you need to change your thinking. Change the direction of where you are thinking and you will start to see change. The Living Bible says, reading from verse 10, “How grateful I am, and how I praise the Lord that you are helping me again.  I know you have always been anxious to send what you could, but for a while, you did not have the chance, not that I was ever in need. For I have learned to get along happily, whether I have much or whether I have little” (how many of you learn to get along happily whether you have much or whether you have little. Or do you get upset, angry and depressed when in lack praying that “I need more”? Sadly you’ll still have a “give me more” attitude when you have more – Learn to be content with what you’ve got.) God wants you to be blessed and prosper, but be content with where you are at while you’re grabbing hold of what God’s got for you.  Don’t let your situation get you down.  

We always say, don’t let the enemy steal your joy. Technically this is wrong because your joy cannot be stolen, it can only be given away. You choose to give it away. The enemy cannot take it from you. You give it to him…“Hey satan, have my joy!  I am going to be depressed and focus on what you are doing!” You can ask some believers, “So, what is God doing in your life?” and all that they can tell you is everything that the devil is doing, but they don’t know what God is doing in their life.  They haven’t got a clue. 

 

“I have learnt the secret of contentment in every situation” which is focused on God and be thankful.  Don’t focus on the negative. “Whether it be a full stomach or hunger. Plenty or want.”  Paul knew what he was talking about and he finishes off there by saying “I can do all things through Christ Jesus  who strengthens me.”  We can overcome anything by choosing to have the right focus – by focusing on Jesus and allowing His peace and joy to flood our hearts and minds.