It was 1978, and I was walking out of a college class to my car. I found a note tucked under my windshield with this verse written on it, "Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things" (Philippians 4:8). My then-boyfriend soon to be husband left that there for me to find. I don't remember what was going on in my life, but it was to be the first of many times that he would use this verse to gently point me back to God.

 It's incredible how our thinking can influence our lives and change our perspective and affect our choices. When I linger over each of these perspective-changers, my first thought should be about God, but in all honesty, sometimes it's not. I've always struggled with anxiety and worry. Worry is a chokehold that distorts and drowns out the truth. 

 When life is smoothly flowing along, I can spout off this verse like a pro. But when fiery trials come, I forget and resort to the unwholesome practice of trying to take control and worrying the situation to death. There is no excellence in that. A little hint, Google is not a great place to find all the answers to life's problems. I know I've tried. I wind up feeling worse than when I started.

The words, "finally brethren," are essential and shouldn't be overlooked. Paul is driving home the point that if you want to live in harmony with each other, if you want to be worry-free, and reap the benefits of peace, and guard your hearts and minds—do this. 

 I found that clinging to His Word, and meditating on it, renews a right spirit in me. A verse will pop off the page of my Bible and capture my heart and turn my fears into praise and rejoicing. God also uses memorable moments in my life to remind me of His power and love and change my unhealthy thinking.

 Here are two of my go-to strategies that I find helpful. 

 1. Take note of the beauty of God's creation when fearful thoughts crowd in.

 A few years ago, I noticed a large bird's nest withstanding strong winds and rains. I drove by it for several weeks, amazed at how it stayed intact and didn't fall apart after being buffeted by Spring weather. When you stop and think that a little creature made that nest with no hands, it is truly a wonder. It reminded me that Jesus said not to worry because he cares for us just as he cares for the birds of the air (Matthew 6:26-27).

 Also, witnessing the power and majesty of God's creation gives us a lovely perspective of His handiwork. Many years ago my mother-in-law came to visit us in Hawaii. We took her to the North Shore to watch the waves as they are spectacular that time of year. We so enjoyed watching her watch the waves. Ben quietly said to me, "Her eyes will never see this again." She never forgot and spoke of it often. God’s creation points me back to the Creator and brings my mind back to a healthier perspective. At the same time, this is a beautiful memory in which I can go back to time and time again to redirect my thoughts to the loveliness of God's creation. Which brings us to a second strategy.

 2. Recall positive memories when you are plagued with negative thoughts.

 Recently I acquired a precious memory while visiting our little ray of sunshine, Annabel. This memory will always bring a smile to my face. I looked up briefly to watch Ben and Annabel galloping through the house. He was holding onto her ponytail split in two like reigns. She was prancing like a reindeer and ringing a little Christmas bell! This brief snapshot will be filed in my memory album, ready to recall and relive when I'm plagued by fear and negativity.

 What beautiful pictures are filed away in your memory album? Are there wholesome memories from long ago or just last week that you can recall when negative thoughts and fear crowd in? Recalling joyful memories is a powerful way to renew the mind as Paul instructs us in Philippians 4.

 When we are anxious and worried, it can feel like a runaway truck picking up speed and intensity. How do we stop this downward momentum? We are to renew our minds. It is essential to think about what we know, not what we don't know. It helps to review the promises of God and recall His past faithfulness to us. Immerse yourself in the hope and assurances of God's Word. They are the only thing that can turn that runaway truck around.

 God should always take center stage in our minds and hearts. But isn't He good to give us reminders of His love through His word, nature, and sometimes precious snapshots in time? Dwell on and ponder these as gifts. They are excellent reminders of His sovereignty over all and love notes to us that truly point us back to Him!

"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us."—Tozer