Living Sustained and Unstained
Some people have pleasant personalities
while others are similar to sand paper
wearing ones patience thin..
There are those you can count on for caring
about your cares and concerns
while others can be careless and critical -continuously…
-these are the peoples’ whose words
you have to let fall off your feelings,
like water off the feathers on a duck’s back
but keep kindness wrapped up in a gift to yourself
…treasured for all time.
Our responsibility is to watch which words
we allow to leave a mark on our hearts;
The delicate, intricate engraving
of kind, loving and thoughtful words
or
The words that slap the skin of our souls!
-with these words
we have to be diligent to ensure that the paint doesn’t dry
defacing the walls of our worlds
-deliberately done tagging
hieroglyphics screeched across our surfaces with streaks!
Even though these ruthless words would love to be set in cement,
behind the curtains of our eye-lids,
we can be quick to wash away the words of negativity
before more damage is done
keeping our focus on
and cling to the words
that stain our spirits with smiles in invisible ink...
but
above all cling to the Words of Life written long ago
-think on
whatever is true
whatever is authentic
whatever is honest
whatever is honourable
whatever is just
whatever is noble
whatever is virtuous
whatever is right and righteous
whatever is lovely
whatever is admirable
whatever is acceptable
whatever is commendable,
whatever is of good report
whatever is excellent
whatever is pure and precious
and worthy of praise…
Think on
whatever is worthy of our thoughts…
because
when we meditate on these things
we won’t have to medicate ourselves
to have PEACE;
as our minds dwell on this medicine
prescribed by the Prince of Peace
we can dwell in this place of peace
regardless of other people’s problems, perceptions or opinions.
At the end of time, Only One’s words
spoken over us and to us will matter
-the rest will be blurred by His brilliance!
Shalom.
—
Brenda.ps23©
Scriptures and References
Philippians 4 vs 8-9
The Message
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
Amplified Bible
Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s Word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [centre your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the Source] of peace and well-being will be with you.
The Voice
Finally, brothers and sisters, fill your minds with beauty and truth. Meditate on whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is good, whatever is virtuous and praiseworthy. Keep to the script: whatever you learned and received and heard and saw in me—do it—and the God of peace will walk with you.
The apostle Paul said, “Finally, 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 and the God of peace will be with you”.