9/15/2024
Philippians 4:8-9
Finally, brothers, 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 these things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
We have been looking at various virtues over the last year. In most instances I have spoken about them individually, although they often run together in groups. Virtues are frequently found in combination to meet the challenges in life and express God’s love.
One of the most common and universal challenges we face as people is remaining centered in the love of God despite what the world is throwing at us. We look around the world and see conflict. We look around our own country and see quarrels and struggles. Even within our families and relationships, we can see disputes. How do we remain calm, peaceful, and centered during these times of turmoil.
It is not easy, but it is simple. We call on God’s love and allow it to express through us as the many virtues we have been exploring. During times of unrest, it is essential for us to call on virtues that promote peace, understanding, and constructive engagement, and release the thoughts and activities that separate us from the love of Christ. While the specifics may vary depending on the context and individual beliefs, here are some powerful virtues that can guide us through challenging times. We are familiar with all of them.
First, no matter the source of our emotional chaos, we must be patient. Whether it is from relationships, drivers on the road, politics, neighbors, it doesn’t matter, conflict can lead to increased emotions, isolation, and impatience. It is easier to lash out, condemn, and resist than it is to find peace. The world is really good at drawing the basest, worst part of humanity to the forefront. Proverbs 15:18 teaches: “A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.”
Spirit wants us to look inside to a different source for a response. Practicing patience is a chief way of loving each other. It allows us to listen, understand different perspectives, and engage in meaningful dialogue without reacting impulsively and lashing out.
Another quality of God’s love to call on is empathy. Again, no matter what the cause of our frustration and unrest, empathy bridges gaps; it creates bonds. Empathy is the ability to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes—to understand their feelings, fears, and hopes. When we empathize, we build connections and find common ground.
A related quality is that of humility. We are told in Proverbs 22:4 that “Humility is the reverence of the Lord; it leads to riches and honor and life.” Humble hearts extend compassion and consider others’ beliefs and opinions as important as their own. Humility keeps the ego in check and reminds us that we are not God. No one has all the answers; no one knows everything or has all the facts. It is okay to admit when we don’t know something. Humble dialogue fosters learning and growth.
Even when we vehemently disagree, we can still treat others with respect. Respect breeds tolerance, and acknowledges the inherent worth of every person, regardless of their views. When we respect others, despite differences in beliefs, backgrounds, or opinions, we create space for acceptance.
But heated moments are going to happen, and it is then that civility is a beacon. It means disagreeing without resorting to personal attacks, name-calling, or aggression. We can express our opinions firmly yet respectfully. Calmness and civility prevail, but hotheads fail to do what is useful, constructive and beneficial.
It takes courage to draw upon these virtues, set aside the ego, and turn our eyes and ears away from the world. Courage isn’t about being fearless; it’s about acting despite fear. It takes courage to stand up for justice, advocate for marginalized groups, and challenge harmful narratives. It requires courage to face the fear of rejection and criticism and do and say what we know to be right.
God has written His laws upon our hearts. They are like a moral GPS, a spiritual compass that guides us. We know these laws; they are intuitive, but it takes courage to live these principles of love, justice, and righteousness. It is easy to ignore these laws and live a life of self-indulgence and decadence. It is easy to ignore these laws and hate our neighbor, call people names, think hurtful things, and disrespect others. It takes courage to stand up for what is noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. It takes courage to think about these things and keep our minds on God’s laws. Deuteronomy 31:8 tells us: “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
To face chaos and unrest we need wisdom. Seek wisdom beyond partisan, narrow-minded, prejudiced thought habits. Wise decisions consider long-term consequences, seek common ground, and prioritize the well-being of all. Wisdom blends knowledge and experience with self-examination, combining our cognitive components with our reflective aspects. It is not just about IQ; it is a combination of emotional intelligence and spiritual intelligence.
Through wisdom we see beyond surface-level judgments and can perceive motives, intentions, and underlying truths. James 3:17 teaches this: “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.”
So far, the virtues that work together to face challenges of conflict are patience, empathy, humility, respect, civility, courage, and wisdom. The last virtue to join this conglomerate is hope. Amid turmoil, hope sustains us. It reminds us that change is possible, that people can come together, and that better days lie ahead. Hope says, “Things can improve.” It’s the antidote to despair. Even in challenging circumstances, hope nudges us toward solutions. Hope whispers, “You can get through this. You’ve got this.” It is the spark that keeps us moving forward, even when the road is rough.
We are never going to be without challenge or conflict. It is necessary for our personal growth as well as for society. These virtues are not just for some people: leaders, bosses, or people in charge. They are available to all of us because we all must face conflicts, challenges, and make decisions about words, attitudes, and actions that affect others. We can call upon God to supply the attributes that we need. “My God, fill me now with the patience to see me through this. Empower me with Your empathy, humility, respect, and civility to meet this situation. Beloved Christ Jesus, I call now upon your courage, wisdom, and hope. Thank you.”
We can also provide ourselves with an environment that can deter frustration and despair. Turn off the news – 10 minutes per day max. Find other paths to entertainment, recreation, and mental stimulation. Read more. At least three times a week get outside and enjoy God’s beauty. Learn what we can control, and release what we cannot. Spend time in contemplation, dispelling all thought. Watch our breath flow gently in and out; imagine it as the breath and love of Christ moving in and through you carrying away fear, dread, anger, and all other destructive energies.
Literally, spend time thinking about what is noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. How many things can you think of in your lifetime that have been noble or pure or praiseworthy? What is lovely and admirable in your life right now?
It is my prayer that we move our thoughts to the good and true. I pray that we will become the change we wish to see, the peace we want to have, and the love that we desire, especially when we are experiencing unrest.
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