“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” (Phil. 4:8). “Take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).
Lord Jesus, these Scriptures aren’t merely “nice verses”; they are essential disciplines to practice. Pistachio gelato is “nice,” just like dark chocolate and grilled salmon. But what we do with our thought lives impacts our emotions and perceptions, values and choices, fears and joys—really, everything.
This isn’t mind over matter; it’s the Gospel over everything. It’s not “the power of positive thinking”; it’s choosing to have you, Jesus—your truth, goodness, and beauty—as our foundation and freedom, our preoccupation and praise—the narration of our lives and the adoration of our hearts.
The more we see of you, Jesus, the better we’ll look at everything else by you. For every joy and delight we experience in life finds its meaning and source in you. And every heartache, fear, and trauma finds its resolution by you. You are that loving, that powerful, and that generous with us. Thank you, Lord.
Jesus, may your kingship and reign—not the madness and meanness of human politics and the devil’s schemes, rule in our hearts… be rocket fuel for our hope… ignite our joy… increase our neighbor love… sabotage our anxieties… deepen our peace… and ignite our longings for your return.
This isn’t denial, it’s delight. It’s not “playing ostrich”—it’s not playing at all; it’s honoring you as the King of kings and Lord of lords. With palms up, eyes fixed, and hearts engaged, we enter our day with you, Jesus. So Very Amen.