Philippians 4:8
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
This verse isn’t just the power of positive thinking or putting on a happy face to fake your way through anxiety. It’s a very practical way to take what we know about biology and the way God made our brains to rewire the pathways in it. Throughout the Bible, God never asks us to get rid of things that aren’t from Him without giving us a good, pure, and true replacement that is from Him.
How can we start creating new pathways in our brain? Two very practical applications: 1. Start filling your mind with truth through Bible engagement. Instead of simply reading through your Bible, spend four or more days a week engaging with it by studying, observing, and applying. 2. Invest yourself in life giving relationships. Don’t give up the practice of meeting together in groups, encouraging, and serving one another. Come up with a plan for how you can get better in each of these areas, write it down, and share it with someone.