If you follow my Twitter account, you will have seen that I finished Anne of Green Gables recently (thanks to Kindle's new "share" feature). It is a sweet book, and one that I always loved when I was little. I especially loved it because I really related to Anne and her wild imagination. And in reading it as an adult, I found that I still do! In one part in particular, Anne let her imagination run away with her and found herself scared of what she had imagined. She, fortunately, learned her lesson and decided not to imagine scary things anymore. I, unfortunately, have never learned that lesson. On any given day, whether I am faced with something sad or not, I find my imagination turning down dark alleys and scaring me, often to the point of tears! It's perhaps why one of my closest friends calls me "morbid".
I have recently decided on my life verses (Philippians 4:6-8) and I say them to myself when I have let my imagination run away with me, and I find myself worrying. It's something I struggle with daily, but just saying the verses to myself gets me back on the road to peace.
It also occurred to me just today (which is why I am writing this post) that Philippians 4:8 tells us the type of things on which our minds should dwell, starting with truth. I think that part was added just for me. We are told not to dwell on things that are not real, but rather on what is. I must remember that as I find my mind wandering into untruth.
So, like Anne, I will try to conquer this unhealthy aspect of my imagination, so I don't find myself scared anymore. I wish Anne had explained how she did it so easily! But I think I have found the key, and it lies in Philippians 4:6-8:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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.