Remember

Finally, 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

This was the first thing I read today during my morning devotional. As I continued into my quiet time I began reading 2 Peter.

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you and entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore I intend to always remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. - 2 Peter 1:3-15

I have had much unrest in my spirit lately. I have been fighting a battle that has added great stress in my mind and my spirit. This has gone on long enough that it is affecting my body. I kept crying out to God to help me. I found myself in a depression again, my thoughts circling things of pain and a perspective that cannot see past the pain.

I talked to God a long while this morning before starting my reading. I told Him everything that was heavy on my mind. Those things which continue to cause me pain. Notice the recurrence of us needing to be "reminded" of things in the two passages I've shared? Interesting how when I seek God's help when my mind is circling negative things that He shows me - He reminds me - that my thoughts should not be circling those things at all. There is a difference between remembering something that has happened and reminding yourself of it.

Things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, praise worthy, are what we are supposed to "think on". When you think on something it is more than just remembering. Thinking on something means we keep it in our mind longer than just a fleeting thought. Can't say that my mind was circling any of those things.

Peter said: His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God's divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness. It's through the knowledge found in Jesus that we are granted the things that pertain to life and godliness. He has granted to us the precious and great promises so we can take part in the divine nature. Our salvation through grace by faith in Christ Jesus is what breaks us free from the bondage of worldly corruption because of sinful desires.

Sinful desires are what bring corruption. Because of the sinful desires and the corruption they bring we must do everything we can to supplement our faith with virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. If we have these things and they are increasing (meaning we have to keep feeding them and growing them) they will keep us from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If I had been allowing those things to circle my mind instead of allowing the distracting thoughts of negative things I would not have fallen into depression. ...for if you practice these qualities you will never fall...Therefore I intend to always remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. Even though we already may know about these qualities and we may know that we are established in the Truth we have in Christ, it is good to always be reminded of them. We need to keep these things in our mind at all times. If our minds are full of them then there is no room for the negative thoughts. No room for sinful desires, and no room for corruption to grow from those sinful desires.

Bottom line, keep not just our eyes on Jesus but keep our minds on Him. If our minds are on Him, we will see Him in every situation. Alone, I am imperfect. Alone, I am stained with sin and corrupted. But through Jesus I am perfected. Through Jesus I am washed clean, white as snow, without blemish, without corruption. Why did I ever allow distractions to take over and keep my attention?! Jesus is all I need, and all I need be directing my full attention.

Thank you, Father, for reminding me of your grace and to always circle my mind around whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praise worthy!!