Think About These Things

Can we just sit for a minute and collectively catch our breath?  

The past few weeks have completely upended life for most of us as we grapple with the aggressive spread of the COVID-19 virus and its effects on our schedules, family, jobs, social networks, finances…I mean, really, is there any part of our lives that has not been touched in some way? We’ve been anxious, cranky, offended, fearful, and full of questions and doubts as people unexpectedly lost loved ones, the stock market tumbled, toilet paper became a precious commodity, and our view of essential workers pivoted 180 degrees.

In the midst of it all, it has been so easy to become cynical. A cynic is someone who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest and that, as a result, no one can be trusted. Cynicism is often rooted in fear of being taken advantage of or being disappointed, and it usually grows because we believe we deserve more or that people should be or do better.  

Our enemy loves a cynic. A cynic guards his heart and a guarded heart can never be fully open and surrendered to God. Cynicism puts our minds on earthly, temporary things and makes us lose hope.  

How do we combat cynicism? We must make a choice. We must choose to surround ourselves with people, creation, and circumstances that inspire joy (but currently from a safe social distance!) We must choose activities and pursuits that bring delight and produce within us a sense of awe and wonder. We must choose to immerse ourselves in the beautiful.  

Philippians 4:8 gives us this instruction. “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.” 

Why would the Apostle Paul, the writer of Philippians, give these instructions? Because when we give our attention to that which is beautiful, good, joyful, it points us to the One who created those things. Scientific studies are now backing this up with empirical evidence that awe and beauty improve moods, increase feelings of connection, decrease materialism, and make people more kind and generous. 

Have some people reacted selfishly to our current circumstances? Have some people behaved deplorably? Absolutely, definitively, yes. But I’ve seen far more instances of neighbors helping neighbors, families connecting, communities supporting small businesses, people using the time to create music and art, and friends generating smiles in fun and creative ways.  

If we are going to be cynical, let’s be cynical of the lies that our enemy loves to whisper to us–that God is not good, that He cannot be trusted, that He is not really in control, that He does not want the best for us.  

Our current circumstances are challenging in many ways, but they are also an opportunity. Let’s focus on the honorable, the lovely, the excellent. Let’s choose beauty, awe, and delight. Let’s think about these things.