Daily Thoughts from Philippians (21): Standing Man – Philippians 4:8,9

I was in a class this morning and one of our participants mentioned that during a very difficult time in his life he decided he ought to see a therapist.  The therapist asked him to take the next week and each day list 10 things he was grateful for with no repetitions.  He was somewhat surprised that after that week he was feeling much lighter and more joyful.  Can we really change our perspective by how we think or what we think on?  Paul is suggesting the answer to that question is “Yes!” and that it can actually also work to bring peace between believers in conflict.

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. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9, ESV)

How do you get the God of peace to be with you?  You consider the things that lead to peace among brothers and sisters, His family, because He values that.  If your parents love you and your siblings and you and your siblings are fighting, their hearts are broken and they should be urging you toward unity and love.  So it is with God.

So consider the things that lead to peace.  Paul holds up two ways to get there:

1) Think about the right things, the beautiful things, the just and pure things, the praiseworthy things, and your focus will drift from pushing your own selfish ambitions toward loving your family well.

2) Follow Paul’s example and teaching.  For us, we might think of whomever we esteem as spiritual leaders, one’s like Paul who have been our spiritual parents.  Let’s make their joy full by being like-minded.

One of my favorite movies is Bridge of Spies about the lawyer who was asked by our government to negotiate the release of Gary Powers, who had been shot down over Russia in a spy plane.  He negotiates by making an exchange for Powers with a Russian spy.  He had formerly represented this spy against the U.S. government, refusing to give him a haphazard defense though everyone wanted the spy to be held guilty.  When he would ask the spy if he was worried, the spy would answer, “Would it help?”  Because of the lawyer’s unwavering strength of purpose and character the spy told him he reminded him of his father’s friend who kept taking a beating and standing up again.  “Standing man” he called him.  This became a source of inspiration for this spy.  So instead of worrying the spy thought on things that were true, honorable, etc., and followed the example of the “standing man.”

We believers have our own “Standing Man,” Jesus the Righteous One, and other standing men and women who have become our examples.  As we think on their examples and on the just, pure, lovely and commendably excellent character they have exemplified, we find the peace of God flooding our hearts and find God’s peace with our brothers and sisters.

Discussion Questions for Small Groups

1. What is your favorite time of day and why?
2. How much control do you feel you have over whether you experience peace or not?
3. What is the difference between feeling peace in your heart and being at peace with others?
4. What kinds of things are you typically thinking about people with whom you are in conflict?
5. Are you at odds with someone right now, and if so, what kinds of things true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, of excellence or worthy of praise can you think toward them?
6. How will you practice right thinking that draws the God of peace toward you this week?