In a recent lecture on anxiety and Philippians 4:4-9, my professor asked us
"Where do you park your mind?” The question stuck with me.
We all have those “free moments” when our minds aren’t fully engaged in a certain activity. Pausing to ask where I “park my mind” during those times has been so convicting!
For me, those “free moments” frequently occur when I feed Micah. I spend hours of my weekend making bottles, burping him, and changing clothes.
During these times, my mind easily turns to grumbling or worrying. The grumbling sounds like this:
This is a waste of time. There are a million better things I could be doing! The worrying usually masquerades as “planning,” or mentally reviewing my to-do list again and again. Both grumbling and worrying are wrong. They reveal my lack of contentment (Phil. 4:11).
Recently, I’ve tried to remember Philippians 4:8 whenever I settle onto the couch with the baby and a warm bottle. God is teaching me that feeding Micah can actually be an act of worship. He’s showing me how to fully engage in the present instead of always thinking about what’s next. What does that look like? In place of complaining, I create a mental “thankfulness list.” Rather than grumble about the wasted time, I sing. Instead of going over my to-do list, I pray for different people and situations in my life.
It’s so hard. I naturally slip into grumbling or worrying, but engaging my mind and heart in worship takes effort! I’m so glad that Paul immediately follows up his command to “practice these things” with a reminder that God is with us (Phil. 4:9). I need His help.
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.
