God's Mental Health Plan

A few weeks ago I delivered the morning message at my church.  It was entitled "Think on These Things." The scripture that I used was Philippians 4:6-9. 

Philippians 4:6-9 (ESV)
⁶  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
⁷  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
⁸  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.
⁹  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

As I studied I realized a better title would have been God' Mental Health Plan. Verse six begins, " Be careful for nothing .." More simply put it means 

                                         "Don't Worry about Anything." 

God said that if you would just talk with him, make your concerns known with an attitude of thanksgiving, then He would make you prosperous in all things concerning you and His peace and wholeness would be with you. Now before you get yourself all worked up, I am not talking about financial prosperity necessarily. According to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance the word for "mind: translates to "of (from or concerning) you." He will bring you prosperity in what you need to eliminate your anxiety or you will have the opportunity to learn to trust his Word will He changes your circumstances. 

Peace 

What kind of peace surpasses understanding? Is it something so rarely experienced that I can't picture it in my mind? Yes!! A resounding YES!! He promised that His peace would guard or protect your heart, (thoughts, feelings) and your mind, (all things concerning you).

How To Get This Peace

The answer lies in verses eight and nine. Think about good things. If it is true, just or fair, pure or clean, lovely, or commendable; if it reflects excellence and is worthy of compliments, then think about those things. Don't cloud your mind up thinking about the negative things. Don't worry about the gossip and the gossipers. Don't give your adversaries another thought. God says, He's got this.  

I believe God's got it because He said so but I am not really sure I am sure. That is why Paul encouraged us to "practice these things." Very few of us get it the first time around. It requires practice. Take baby steps and with each step our confidence will rise and God's peace will become apparent. 

The result is awesome mental health. 

For those unfortunately suffering from mental illness, I am not suggesting walking away from therapy or even your medications. However, I am suggesting as you can try this. Practice thinking about the good things in your life. Think about the lovely, pleasant things that make you feel good as often as you can. I believe it will only help you get better faster.

For those of us who have momentary or mild mental dis-ease, this is a preventive measure. We spend way to much time and energy worrying about things and people we can't do anything about. We also spend way to much time and energy complaining and doing nothing about the things we can change. 

                                    STOP! Trust God and do something instead.

                                                   Think on These Things!