When my daughter was in fourth grade, I noticed the girls in her class were starting to become more cliquish. Gossip and rumors became a daily topic of conversation on our way to school each day. I could hear the frustration in my daughter’s voice and confusion on her face when discussing what her friends were saying.

She understood that girls were trying to stand out in the crowd by saying unkind and untrue things. I asked her to recite Philippians 4:8 and tell me what God’s words said. I reminded her to remember whom she belonged to and to focus on what to fix her thoughts on. Paul tells us in this verse that we need not dwell on what the world deems worthy; we should focus on what is true, honest, and praiseworthy.

Very few things in this world can ever match the standard of God’s word, but we must use His word as our guide as we walk through this life. Sometimes we simply must ask, “Are those words true? Is this fair? Am I being honest? Is this worthy of praise? Is my attitude pleasing to God? Am I dwelling on the right things?” Using Scripture as our compass will always point us in the direction of the cross and our Savior.