Focus on the Praise Worthy

“⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, 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.” – Philippians 4:8 (ESV)

In the verse above, I see that which I should focus on as opposed to what is seen and pushed. It is that which is of God where I should be giving my attention.

Too often in the world today, we are brought the sensational as opposed to the just. We are exposed to the grand as opposed to the pure. There is a celebration of the material and the honorable is overlooked. I see this every day in my view of the outside world and in the world I work. It seems as those that make the most noise are those that are looked upon with favor and those that sit and do the work are those that are ignored.

There is peace in the those above encouraging words of Paul to the Philippians. He reminds me that I have a duty to God and only to God and I should be looking for those things are bring glory to Him in all that I do. I have to look for and celebrate those things that are worthy of praise in the eyes of God and not those that man tends to celebrate.

“⁹What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” – Philippians 4:9 (ESV)

It is up to me to find those things that are praise worthy, practice them, and, as noted in verse 9 above, rest in the peace God has for me. It is/will not be easy. I have the world against me and I have nothing but the sensational, the grand, and the material being thrust at me each day. It is difficult to find a place of space where I can find the peace of God to rest in each day.

But here it is, as I sit this morning and study the Word of God, I have that space. I have that peace as I look only into His face as presented to me through His word. I look and see the just, the pure, and the honorable and know that there is hope and when I lean into and practice those things, I will find the peace of God.

What things are you being exposed to that are not of God? Are you being led by the sensational, the grand, and the material? What if you were to focus instead on the just, the pure, and the honorable and that which is praise worthy?