itsawonderfilledlife

Maybe it’s the dark season, maybe the flu virus that demolished my weekend plan or maybe just the abundance of time in my brain …

I was abiding in the doldrums yesterday, my thoughts going to and staying on the dark side. Gotta say, by bedtime I was brought low.

Then I awoke this morning with one word on my mind …

WHATEVER

and I knew fully and immediately what the message was and who it was from.

Whatever …

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.

According to a Psychology Today article, written by Ryan C. Warner Ph.D.,

“Neurologically, positive thinking activates brain regions involved in emotional regulation  and reward processing, such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala. This activation triggers the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, known for promoting feelings of happiness and well-being.“

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 … job lay offs, change, death of loved ones, isolation from loved ones, rejection, stress, loneliness, change, depression, anxiety … a virus in the midst of the winter doldrums … these whatever verses are a U-turn, a reminder that where we allow our thoughts to go can affect where they stay.

This isn’t happy-clappy stuff folks, to make the switch in our minds to that which is positive is to fuel our thoughts with something that can help us manage the stresses and frustrations and seasonal affective disorders and whatever else our minds are struggling to have the resilience to cope through. In a sense, positive thinking is the most valuable nutrient for our brains to function and cope well in this sometimes dark and stormy world.

” … 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

Read Full Post »

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart

A few months ago a song was perfectly inserted in a show I was watching and it delivered such significance to the scene, for I knew the song well.

Be thou my vision is undoubtedly one of the oldest hymns still sung (believed to be written in the sixth century), though it (as with many older hymns) began as poetry. Written by Saint Dallán Forgaill in honor of an act of faith and defiance to the wishes of the High King of Ireland, by Saint Patrick. It was not until 1919 that the verses (reworked about twenty years prior) were put to music … the hauntingly beautiful Irish tune, “Slane”.

I am so thankful that I was reunited with this song, for it has been a comfort, a balm, a reminder of hope and certainty in a time where hope and certainty seem out of sight.

It has also been a good, swift, metaphorical kick in the pants.

As I listen to, hum and even sing (in the privacy of my home) the truths of the verses, I wonder how it is that we who have faith, who worship such a faithful High King of Heaven

could feel that our world, politics, leaders, global financial systems, loss of community is hopeless.

How could we, who put our faith in God, be so dominated by the news of the day?

Perhaps if He is in our thoughts
“by day or by night
waking or sleeping
thy presence my light”
… our rest may be more restful, our days less anxious.

Perhaps if we trust first in Him to
“be Thou my wisdom,
and Thou my true word”
… we will know that wisdom is better than strength or power.

Perhaps if we abide
“ever with Thee
and Thou with me, Lord
Thou in me dwelling
and I with Thee one”
… we will know that loneliness is dissolved.

Perhaps if we deny the wealth, the privileges we hold in this world,
“Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise
Thou mine inheritance, now and always”
… we might not worry about losing them.

Perhaps if our communications are more often about
“Thou and Thou only first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art”
… others might believe in the God we say lives in our hearts.

Perhaps if understand that our victory is already won,
“whatever befall”
… we will not fear what this world and it’s leaders may do.

Perhaps if we raise our hands in praise more often we will be wringing them less.

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.

Read Full Post »