Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
(Philippians 4:8-9, MSG)
This paraphrased version of Philippians 4:8-9 gets to the heart of what Paul is stating. It’s not a promise that positive thinking will bring positive things your way. The bible doesn’t support any notion of manifesting good into your life.
Life will not be the way you want it to be, no matter how many good thoughts you think or good vibes you send out. The reality is that we live in a world filled with pain, hurt, devastation, and disappointment. Yet, while we are waiting for the fullness of Jesus’ redemption, there is still good we can hold onto now.
You may want your reality to be different. But forcing that to happen won’t bring the happiness you’re longing for. It’s okay to wrestle with where your life is or to want things to be different. But staying in that place won’t do you any good.
Allow yourself to see the beauty around you, and let those things point you back to the good Creator who is making all things right again.
This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.
