Several times in
the past week, I have found myself quoting these words from Philippians 4:8 to
myself and others:
“ . . . whatsoever
things are true,
whatsoever things
are honest,
whatsoever things
are just,
whatsoever things
are pure,
whatsoever things
are lovely,
whatsoever things
are of good report:
if there be any virtue,
and if there be
any praise,
think on these things.”
And in Isaiah
26:3, the King James reads:
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.”
We are haunted by the images and stories we see in the news these days and some of the circumstances are striking us either directly or indirectly. What I find is to be of help to others as well as ourselves when circumstances seem overwhelming, we keep our eyes on the One who never changes and whose truth is unwavering.
If we only immerse ourselves in the spiraling vortex of one sad thing after another, we will find we grow spiritually weaker.
It can be helpful
to meditate on the verses above and remember what it is true, right, just,
pure, lovely and of a good report even in much difficulty. In the worst
situations, we can see God at work in small and large ways using His people to bring
hope in what seem hopeless situations.
We need to know what is going on in the world, and stay informed, but we also need to remember that despite what may happen, we keep our eyes on Jesus, who “ . . . is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).
And it is in the
truth of his powerful words we find great hope and peace.
We continue to be in prayer for all those so devastatingly affected by Hurricane Helene as well as those in the path of Hurricane Milton in the next few days.
Coming soon, A New Thing from Beverly Varnado, another volume in the small-town romance series set in Worthville, Georgia. Beverly Varnado is an award-winning multi-published author and screenwriter as well as a blogger and artist. Her most recent book is a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, In Search of the Painted Bunting.
Her blog, One Ringing Bell, has nearly 1,000 posts in its archives. Her work has been featured on World Radio, in the Upper Room Magazine, a dozen anthologies, and other periodicals, and online sites. One of her screenplays was a finalist for the prestigious Kairos Prize in screenwriting. More at link bio.