LIVING BEYOND DISTRACTIONS

Fragrant. Fortunate. These two words define the names of two women in the Philippian church, Euodia with Syntyche. The apostle Paul speaks of them specifically in the text, but not in a good way...

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. ~Philippians 4:2 NIV

We don't know the context of their discontent. All we know is there's drama and it's a distraction. Now, drama can be subtle and sly or inflamed and out of control. It can even be a war we fight within ourselves, but no matter the form it is always a distraction.

I call this condition, "Imma-do-me-itis". When active, "Imma-do-me-itis" can make you inflexible in your stance, unwilling to compromise, and emotional in your decision-making. It takes your eyes of the prize and sets course on a rollercoaster ride far from your future's finish line. Dizzy and distracted, you lose the precious commodities of time, energy, reputation, and relationships.

So... let's stop acting as if our drama has nothing to do with our destiny. It does.

Stop acting like our "beef" doesn't change how people see us. It does.

Stop acting as if no one cares about what's affecting us.

They do, and it's affecting them, too.

I want not only my prayers, but how I live my life to be a sweet fragrance unto God. I want the Father's favor and good fortune for me and my house. Don't you? Great! Then let's see how we can live redeemed from the drama of distractions...

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. ~Philippians 4:8 NIV

Don't minimize the text. This is a strategic redemption plan for your deliverance. Only a few verses prior, Paul was writing about the dispute. Now, here is the solution.

We begin with the end in mind...

... think about such things.

If your time is precious, then you need to change how you process time-kills. Focus on what affirms you. Reducing your mental investment in the drama diminishes its power and redeems your time.

And so, on what should you spend your time and your thoughts?

(Glad you asked.)

whatever is true,...

(Don't worry about the lie they told. You know the truth.)

whatever is noble, whatever is right,...

(The Bible tells us to "thirst after righteousness", that which is right in the eyes of God.

This would be a good time to start.)

Whatever is pure... (versus what was been distorted),

Whatever is lovely... (versus ugly thoughts and behaviors),

Whatever is admirable... (versus what might damage your reputation)