Yesterday I flipped to the next page in my calendar and almost flipped out of my seat when I spotted this word…

NOVEMBER

I know! I couldn’t believe it either. Feels like we finally made it near the finish line of an exhausting year. (Amen to that, right?) Then after the initial shock wore off, I sat back in my chair and took a deep breath. All the events of the past ten months affected each of us in different ways, but all of us deeply.

Thinking about it made me want to change the way I approach the upcoming holiday season.

How to Keep Focusing our Thoughts on the Right Things

This past month here on kristinebrown.net, we talked about the importance of guarding our minds against things that threaten it. We prayed for our mental health and also mental health professionals. We looked at inspiring verses to help strengthen our thought life. So now, what would happen if we carried our refocused minds into Thanksgiving and Christmas?

“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.” Philippians 4:8 ESV

I realized the answer to my question is an opportunity right in front of us.

Thinking on the right things through the holidays will usher us into a new place of contentment.

The CEB version of the above verse puts it this way, “...focus your thoughts on these things.”

Which brings us to an important question to consider as we move into the last few weeks of the year. Where will I focus my thoughts this holiday season?

Friend, we’ve been digging into the goodness of God’s Word together for some time now, so you know I always have the best intentions. I can start out early in November with a commitment to make Jesus the reason for the season. But a short way into my to-do list, I get lost in responsibilities, and even some perceived ones that aren’t really mine. Add distractions to the mix - like a plumbing leak or other unexpected joys - and my hopes for a Jesus-filled holiday soon fade.

So this year, I’m making a new kind of commitment. One I can keep. One that will shift my entire perspective. Will you join me?

Each Monday we will turn our focus toward one thing in the list of good things from Philippians 4:8. We will think about that one thing all week long, then move to the next. This way, we will honor God by fixing our thoughts on his blessings during the final weeks of this year. I cannot think of a better way to spend this holiday season.

Let’s get started right here, right now. The first thing on our list is this:

Think about what is TRUE.

It can be hard to discern what’s true these days. So many opinions, distortions, and reactions can leave us overwhelmed and confused by the chaos of it all. But one thing we know; we can always turn back to Scripture, because God’s Word is true.

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17 ESV

So let’s begin our #focusyourthoughts commitment and see it change us in amazing ways. What is one thing you can think about that you know without a doubt is true?

I would love to hear your answers! Will you join me on Facebook to share? If you don’t have a Facebook account, no worries. You can also send me your ideas to kristine@morethanyourself.com.

Blessings,

Kristine