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
“We ought all of us always to give thanks to God for both the universal and the particular gifts of soul and body that He bestows on us. The universal gifts consist of the four elements and all that comes into being through them, as well as all the marvelous works of God mentioned in the divine Scriptures. The particular gifts consist of all that God has given to each individual. These include wealth, so that one can perform acts of charity; poverty, so that one can endure it with patience and gratitude; authority, so that one can exercise righteous judgment and establish virtue; obedience and service, so that one can more readily attain salvation of soul; health, so that one can assist those in need and undertake work worthy of God; sickness, so that one may earn the crown of patience; spiritual knowledge and strength, so that one may acquire virtue; weakness and ignorance, so that, turning one’s back on worldly things, one may be under obedience in stillness and humility; unsought loss of goods and possessions, so that one may deliberately seek to be saved and may be helped when incapable of shedding all one’s possessions or even of giving alms; ease and prosperity, so that one may voluntarily struggle and suffer to attain the virtues and thus become dispassionate and fit to save other souls; trials and hardship, so that those who cannot eradicate their own will may be saved in spite of themselves, and those capable of joyful endurance may attain perfection.”
Peter of Damascus in Book 1 “A Treasury of Divine Knowledge” in the Philokalia (730).
Philokalia is another book from the list in 25 Books Every Christian Should Read: A Guide to the Essential Spiritual Classics. It’s an ancient Christian collection of “good and noble” thoughts.
This collection almost assuredly contains the kinds of ideas the Apostle Paul had in view when he instructed the Philippians to focus on good, pure and praiseworthy things. By this way we maintain a posture of gratitude.
As I rest and reflect this Christmas, I consider my own situation and people I know who may be experiencing the host of circumstances that Peter of Damascus sketched today for which ought to always give thanks.
Some have wealth. I hope they perform acts of charity. Others have poverty. I pray they endure it with patience and charity. Some have come into positions of authority. I pray they exercise righteous judgment.
The list goes on. Some have sickness and trials. Others have gained spiritual knowledge and strength while others have experienced unsought loss of goods and possessions due to the war.
Notice how Peter of Damascus gives us good and noble insight on how to respond to these situations. He speaks pointedly so that we can have the right perspective and inspire others to good and noble Christian living.
Encourage everyone you touch this Christmas season and into the new year to good and noble Christian living. How we navigate life can touch others generously and help them learn lessons from our Lord through the situations of life.