Philippians 4:8 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.
The fifth layer of the Divine Smart-Thinking Pyramid is “lovely”. Lovely thoughts are pleasing, acceptable and beautiful. These are thoughts that will make the Lord proud of us. Unity, forgiveness and forbearance please the Lord. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psalm 133:1). The peacemakers who sow oneness and bring harmony, please the Lord and make Him proud. The peacemakers are called the sons and daughters of the Lord God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). Lovely thoughts are a stream of thought patterns that comes with divine wisdom. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere (James 3:17). Thoughts that are peace-loving, patient, empathetic, humble, merciful and kind, good, impartial and sincere are lovely thoughts that please the heart of God. Disunity, discord and dissension displease the Lord. Unforgiveness, resentment and bitterness dishonors Him. Hence it is important to watch our thoughts and think, what we are thinking about when we are hurt, rejected or betrayed.
The lament of David when King Saul died pleased the Lord. Saul’s envy and enmity stripped David of his family, fame, fortune and forte yet, when he died, David lamented about the pathetic death of the ruthless king. They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan (2 Samuel 1:12a). David did not rejoice when the enemy was humiliated, defeated and dethroned. Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the LORD see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him (Psalm 24:17-18). Meditate on what is pleasant and pleasing to the Lord and on lovely thoughts that will make Him proud.
Smart-Thinkers choose to reflect on lovely thoughts:
1. Please: Experts say that if we replace one negative thought with five positive thoughts we can offset the negative bias. When an ugly, angry or silly thought drops into your mind, be quick to erase it with five pleasant, merciful and lovely thoughts. Merciful, impartial and sincere deliberations please the Lord.
2. Patience: Patience is a virtue that is developed overtime through injustice, discrimination and discouragement. Those who are quick-tempered have no time to assess their thoughts before they react. Angry, agitated and judgemental thoughts displease the Lord.
3. Proud: Pride is detestable to the Lord. Humility will make the Lord God to proudly address us as His sons/daughters.
Pleasing, patient and peaceable thoughts are lovely in the sight of the Lord.
Lovely thoughts bear good fruits that are pleasing to God.
2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Prayer: Father God, I surrender thoughts that are displeasing and ugly. Help me to make you proud by ruminating on what is lovely, holy and pleasant to you. Amen.
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