The Goldmine or the Shaft

In the 80s, Jerry Reed penned a song, “She got the goldmine (I got the shaft)”.

I was going through a tough stretch of road. In my melancholic discouraged state, I thought the words to this song were so applicable to my condition. The purpose of this recollection is not to stir up old emotions. Rather I question what it is in mankind that motivates a victim thought process. I think the answer lies in submitting our thought process to the sobriety test.

Philippians 4:8 ^8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Whatsoever things are true… True, my parents were strict. Embellished victim thought process: My parents were so strict that I could not have a normal childhood. That brings question to what is “a normal childhood”? In this case the usage of the word “normal” empowers the mind to pursue a runaway from truth – because “normal childhood” has no formal parameters.

Whatsoever things are honest…

Honest – “free of deceit and untruthfulness; sincere” e.g. “I haven’t been totally honest with you.” - definition from Oxford Languages

Today’s consideration is about thought process. Our thoughts are our own secret chamber. In Jeremiah 17:9 in Old English it refers to ^9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Whatsoever things are just…

Just – “based on or behaving according to what is morally right or fair”.” – definition from Oxford Languages

Ironically, a victim mindset capitalizes on what is just and morally right when they are on the recipient’s side. However, that same view is often not extended to the opposing party.

Whatsoever things are lovely…

Lovely – “pleasant or enjoyable” – definition from Cambridge

This attribute takes the negotiation out of the right or wrong of our thought process. Lovely – such a simple term – and either things are lovely or they’re not.

Whatsoever is of good report…

Are we seeding good seeds or weeds?

If there be any virtue, any praise, think on these things…

Virtue – “behaviour showing high moral standards” – definition from Oxford Languages

Praise – “express warm approval or admiration of” – definition from Oxford Languages

True, Honest, Just, Lovely, Good Report, Virtue and Praise. These are the seven stones we need to face the Goliaths that influence our thought process. David chose 5 smooth stones before he met Goliath. One for Goliath, four more for Goliath’s brothers, in the event they were needed.

David trusted an all-powerful God. May we also trust in an all-powerful God to help us defeat wrong thinking habits.