As I was reading Philippians 4:8, one thought kept stirring in my heart.
The Apostle Paul encourages us to fill our minds with whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise.
It led me to a question, does what I do expand me or diminish me?
If God calls us to think about what is good, then every choice we make should be measured by what it is producing in us.
Does this friendship expand me or diminish me?
Does this conversation expand me or diminish me?
Does this video, song, game, or social media post expand me or diminish me?
Does the way I treat others expand me or diminish me?
Every day, we fill our minds and hearts with something. Our thoughts shape our attitudes, our attitudes influence our actions, and our actions form our character.
Dear Young One, in everything you do, don’t just ask, is this fun? or will my friends like it?
Ask, will this help me grow into my purpose, or will it take me further away from it?
Choose what strengthens your faith, what builds your character, what develops wisdom, what inspires kindness and courage.
Dear parent, remember that children often learn more from what we do than from what we say.
If we want them to think about what is true, pure, and admirable, we must model those qualities in our own lives.
Let our homes be places where encouraging words are spoken, where integrity is practised, where forgiveness is freely given, and where God’s Word is valued.
Take time to ask your children not only, what did you learn today? but also, what filled your mind today? Their answer may reveal what is shaping their hearts.
As parents, teachers, mentors, and caregivers, the seeds we help plant today will bear fruit for years to come.
May we all, young and old alike, pause before every decision and ask.
Does this expand me or diminish me?
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things(Phil 4:8).
This day, this week, make ‘Does this expand me or diminish me?’ the question that guides every choice in your home.
✍️ Amara Ann Unachukwu.
