Whatsoever things are true /troo/
Some say truth is relative.
I’m counting on them being wrong. If it’s relative, then not only is my salvation in jeopardy, but my mental state is, too.
My theme verse for this series is Philippians 4:8:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, 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. — Philippians 4:8 ASV (emphasis added)
Paul is encouraging the believers at Philippi to think on things that are worthy of their mental attention. This verse follows a set of verses that deal with anxiety and the role of prayer in guarding our minds — something valuable for a pessimist. Truth is part of what he says will bring them peace — hence the importance to my mental well-being.
It seems worth our time to define the terms Paul is using. We’ll start at the beginning of the verse, with “true.”
True—unhidden, unconcealed, actual, factual, conforming to reality.
Why would Paul believe that thinking on things that are true would be important? As mentioned above, it will help alleviate anxiety in many cases because it will focus on the certainty of a situation instead of the possibilities of it. For a pessimist, those would be negative possibilities. Here’s an example from my life… a situation that recurs with some frequency:
Pessimist: They didn’t include me in their plans for a GNO (or couples’ outing/life group/family ski adventure). They must not like me.
Optimist: They didn’t invite me.
By looking at just the truth—what’s unhidden and verifiable—the only meaning that can be extracted from the situation is the facts. No further implication (such as being unloved) can be inferred, and a negative perspective is precluded. It may not make my emotional assessment overtly sunny, but it does at least prevent my mind from thinking the worst.
How about you? Been there? Try it today and tell me (below) whether it made a difference for you!
This post is part of a 31 day series entitled “Think on these things: Learning optimism.” For a full catalog of all the posts, visit the first page in the series by clicking here.
For me, I realize my reactions to a situation–whether I am responding to what is true or, rather, only what I perceive as true–is affected by my own security, my self-worth. The positive side of me responding in a pessimistic way to a situation (like not being invited or included in an event) is that I get to ask God what is going on me–why I feel less worthy, less loved, by not being included. (Not that I tend to do that immediately, when I am feeling bad about myself to begin with . . . Rather I am good at a pity-party for a while!) But I am grateful for how spending time with God and desiring to recognize His truth is helping me has fewer experiences with a negative outlook when things (in my initial opinion) don’t go my way.
Thanks for your candor in this, Jennifer. And for the willingness to see an upside to a pessimistic response (what an optimistic thing to do!). Love it. 🙂
For me, I realize my reactions to a situation–whether I am responding to what is true or, rather, only what I perceive as true–is affected by my own security, my self-worth. The positive side of me responding in a pessimistic way to a situation (like not being invited or included in an event) is that I get to ask God what is going on me–why I feel less worthy, less loved, by not being included. (Not that I tend to do that immediately, when I am feeling bad about myself to begin with . . . Rather I am good at a pity-party for a while!) But I am grateful for how spending time with God and desiring to recognize His truth is helping me has fewer experiences with a negative outlook when things (in my initial opinion) don’t go my way.
Thanks for your candor in this, Jennifer. And for the willingness to see an upside to a pessimistic response (what an optimistic thing to do!). Love it. 🙂
For me, I realize my reactions to a situation–whether I am responding to what is true or, rather, only what I perceive as true–is affected by my own security, my self-worth. The positive side of me responding in a pessimistic way to a situation (like not being invited or included in an event) is that I get to ask God what is going on me–why I feel less worthy, less loved, by not being included. (Not that I tend to do that immediately, when I am feeling bad about myself to begin with . . . Rather I am good at a pity-party for a while!) But I am grateful for how spending time with God and desiring to recognize His truth is helping me has fewer experiences with a negative outlook when things (in my initial opinion) don’t go my way.
Thanks for your candor in this, Jennifer. And for the willingness to see an upside to a pessimistic response (what an optimistic thing to do!). Love it. 🙂
For me, I realize my reactions to a situation–whether I am responding to what is true or, rather, only what I perceive as true–is affected by my own security, my self-worth. The positive side of me responding in a pessimistic way to a situation (like not being invited or included in an event) is that I get to ask God what is going on me–why I feel less worthy, less loved, by not being included. (Not that I tend to do that immediately, when I am feeling bad about myself to begin with . . . Rather I am good at a pity-party for a while!) But I am grateful for how spending time with God and desiring to recognize His truth is helping me has fewer experiences with a negative outlook when things (in my initial opinion) don’t go my way.
Thanks for your candor in this, Jennifer. And for the willingness to see an upside to a pessimistic response (what an optimistic thing to do!). Love it. 🙂
Thanks for your candor in this, Jennifer. And for the willingness to see an upside to a pessimistic response (what an optimistic thing to do!). Love it. 🙂
Thanks for your candor in this, Jennifer. And for the willingness to see an upside to a pessimistic response (what an optimistic thing to do!). Love it. 🙂
Thanks for your candor in this, Jennifer. And for the willingness to see an upside to a pessimistic response (what an optimistic thing to do!). Love it. 🙂
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