This week’s devotion comes from Hope for the Journey, a devotional series written by Dave and Ann Smazik.

“Finally beloved, whatever is…pleasing…think about these things.” —Philippians 4:8

Another translation for pleasing from the Greek word, προσφιλῆ (prosphile), is agreeable.  Both translations speak to compromise.  How do we think about opportunities to bring about an agreeable, pleasing atmosphere for all involved – in our relationships and with those we don’t know?  It requires much: a willingness to give up something, lack of insistence on our way of doing things, sacrificing the need to be right, listening to and seeking understanding of another’s perspective, choosing not to be the one with all the answers.   Becoming agreeable, pleasing, opens lines of communication and moves us toward thinking of others more highly than ourselves, the crux of Jesus’ life and teaching.   Whom do we not listen to, whom do we not understand? Which of our perspectives do we insist to be right? What choices do we make based on our status?  How quickly do we seek to provide an answer?  We need to think.  And then pray about these things.