Renew Your MindSýnishorn

Day 19: Think about What Is Excellent and Praiseworthy

Scripture:
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." – Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Devotional:

Your mind is not a passive receiver. It is a powerful engine capable of building, shaping, and steering the direction of your entire life. What you dwell on becomes what you believe. What you believe becomes how you behave. That’s why Paul’s exhortation in Philippians 4:8 isn’t just a suggestion but a spiritual health strategy.

Paul knows that in a world filled with anxiety, temptation, conflict, and confusion, your thoughts need direction. Left to themselves, they spiral into worry, resentment, and fear. However, with deliberate focus, they can be trained to rest on what is excellent and praiseworthy: the character of Christ and the goodness of God.

1. Choose the Right Thoughts

Paul gives us a filter of eight categories to measure our thoughts against:

• True – Does this thought align with God’s truth, or is it based on assumptions, speculation, or lies?
• Noble – Does it reflect honor and integrity?
• Right – Is it in line with righteousness and justice?
• Pure – Is it clean, undivided, and without corruption?
• Lovely – Does it stir affection and delight in what is good?
• Admirable – Is it worth looking up to?
• Excellent – Is it morally good and of the highest quality?
• Praiseworthy – Is it worthy of celebration before God?

Paul doesn’t say, “Avoid negative thoughts.” He says, “Replace them.” The goal isn’t just mental emptiness; it’s mental excellence.

This intentional thinking protects you from bitterness, fear, and regret. It elevates your mind and strengthens your soul.

2. Train Your Focus

Let’s be honest; our thoughts don’t naturally land on what is pure and lovely. That’s why this is a spiritual discipline. It requires practice. Like training your body for a race, you must train your mind to run after what is excellent.

It begins with what you feed your mind. Are you consuming content that is lovely, admirable, and praiseworthy? Or are you filling your heart with things that stir up division, fear, lust, or cynicism?

You become sensitive to what you consistently focus on. The more you focus on what is good and godly, the more your heart softens to the things of God.

Start small:

• Reflect on three things that were admirable or lovely.
• Memorize Scripture that declares what is true and noble.
• Surround yourself with people who speak words that build up.
• Fill your home with worship music and God-honoring media.

You are not helpless in the face of your thoughts. With God’s help, you can retrain your focus.

3. Transform Anxious Thoughts Into Excellent Ones

The context of Philippians 4:8 is Paul encouraging believers not to be anxious. He writes, “Do not be anxious about anything… and the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7 - NIV)

Immediately after that, he gives this list of excellent things to consider. Why? Because the way to combat anxiety is not simply to wish it away; it is to fill your mind with something better.

Peace doesn't come from ignoring reality. It comes from focusing on what is true in the midst of it. The world may be uncertain, but God is good. You may feel weak, but God is your strength. These are the truths you anchor your thoughts to.

4. Think in Agreement with Heaven

When you meditate on what is excellent and praiseworthy, you’re not just thinking happy thoughts. You’re aligning your mind with the perspective of Heaven. You’re agreeing with God. And when your mind agrees with God, your life will reflect it.

Don’t let your mind drift on autopilot today. Take control. Redirect. Replace. Focus on what draws you into God’s presence and reflects His beauty. That is where peace and joy take root.

Prayer:
Father, thank you for giving me a blueprint for my thought life. I confess that I often dwell on things that stir fear or doubt. Help me to take control of my thoughts and set them on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Train my mind to think in agreement with your Word so that my life reflects your peace. It is in the name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen.