itsawonderfilledlife

So many articles on anxiety, worry, hopelessness and stress.

Our living in the midst of the COVID-19 has brought a heaviness to the hearts and minds of many.

I have to admit that my attitude was rather cavalier about the risks of this virus to anyone who is not a senior or who is living with pre-existing conditions that make their health more compromised. Then, one day, one of our kids fell asleep early in the evening and when I went to do a mom-check, a high fever was present.

Cavalier was immediately gone. It was replaced with heart pounding concern, worry, fear.

Whatever …

I heard the word in my head, in my heart, but it was not alone.

whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable
think about such things

A passage from Philippians, memorized many years ago, as a child attending a Pioneer Girls club, surfaced … just. when. I. needed. it.

coincidence? I think not.

The Psalmist tells us, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). There is something powerful about scripture that has been memorized and how it surfaces in our minds when we need it’s message, it’s hope, the most.

Whatever …

Whatever is on our minds, threatening our sense of inner peace, striking us with fear, making our stomachs turn with worry … whatever it is … COVID-19, job lay offs, change, isolation and loneliness, change … a high fever (that was gone after taking acetaminophen) … these whatever verses are a great positive U-turn, a reminder of where we need to turn our mind, our thinking toward … where there is peace.

” … 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9