Let’s Get Our Thinkers…..Thinking!

Our minds can be battlefields -- especially when the good, the bad and the ugly are warring with each other. I experienced it recently when, within five minutes, two different car drivers cut me off to get a better place in my lane. Oh, how I wanted to honk-explode on them -- but didn't. I could feel my blood boiling and really wanted to react. But, thank God, I didn't. I've come to know that the only person I'm getting even with is myself when I overreact. Here's how we can get our thinkers thinking beyond the present moment:

1. Think about Jesus. We’ve heard the saying, “You become what you think about most.” We must fill our thoughts with Him if we want to become more like Jesus.

“Think about Jesus’ example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to Him. So, do not get tired and stop trying”. (Hebrews 12:3)

2. Think about others. That is so opposite to what the world teaches us to think about our self and nobody else. Jesus was always counter cultural. When we think about Him, we’ll more easily think of others.

“Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing”. (Philippians 2:4)

1. Think about Jesus. We’ve heard the saying, “You become what you think about most.” If we want to become more like Jesus, we must fill our thoughts with Him.

3. Think about eternity. When we start focusing on truths like that, all of our problems are going to seem inferior compared to the glory, the joy, and the pleasure of the things we have to look forward to in eternity.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor 2:9)

Our mind is our greatest asset and our greatest battleground. We'll win our battles when we ask God to help us make the choice every day to feed on His Word and fill our mind with Jesus, others and eternity. Let’s get our “thinkers” thinking about our good, good Father Who loves His kids so, so much and Who intends us to win and WIN BIG!

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" (2 Cor 10:5)

We Need Mind Control

Oh, but if we had the power to put our minds on "lockdown" when they are being bombarded with negative overload. I've found the more I think about something, the stronger it takes hold of me, which is why the Bible teaches "Run from anything that gives you evil thoughts, but stay close to anything that makes you want to do right”. (2 Timothy 2:22)

How do we halt those negative thoughts from entry? I think it can be compared to the TSA inspectors that check us and our baggage before getting through to our flight gate. They make sure no weapons or items come through that could be potentially dangerous to travelers. We need thought inspectors at the gates of our mind that declares "NO ENTRY!"

We have the ability to HALT those negative thoughts, but we have to do it on purpose, as soon as they try entry. Here's the "how-to" stop them and one of my favorite scriptures: "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) That, is the TSA for our minds. We purposely and intentionally THINK good thoughts and when the alien, negative thoughts come....they get quickly replaced by focusing our attention on what and WHO (God) is and the good, true, excellent, and praiseworthy thoughts.

It's a matter of discipline and taking authority over negative thoughts. With God's Word, we can have mind control and furthermore, we can put our enemy in captivity when he tries to mess with us! Here's God's Word that confirms it: "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." Isaiah 26:3.

When I was looking for an image to go with this blog, I searched "guard your mind" and, lo and behold, this second picture showed up in the images. I know that girl. That's my girl and her "Brand New Life" album which includes her "Guard Your Mind" song that she wrote and sang. Some of the words are: "Let your thoughts bring hope to help you do your best; champions know their thoughts determine their success.....guard your mind." https://open.spotify.com/album/2K5B8q6A5BrkjCBkR5uMvh?replay=1

Listen and you'll be inspired to "Guard Your Mind" because we know the most effective way to have mind control is keeping our minds on what God says about us in His Word. Proverbs 4:23 says “More than anything you guard, protect your mind, for life flows from it.” Let's be mind controllers!

I THINK....I Can!

Did you know what we think about the most…..is what we get? It’s like a giant magnet – pulling those things to us. If we noted our thoughts for 24 hours, what would those notes reveal about our hearts, our values and our attitudes? We might be thinking, "This is a crummy day. Nothing is going my way!" And, guess what, the more we think that, the crummier it will get. Our thought life really can determine our present, and our future. This is a scripture I meditate on frequently, and I do my best to bring my thought life from the negative to the positive when I quote it: "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)

Yes, it takes discipline, and a conscious effort, but I’m going to make sure my thoughts are on those things that I want coming my way!

So.....here's my thoughts for today: "It's going to be a great day! I will make a positive difference in someone's life. I am so thankful for the gift of life. I am prosperous and successful. I am unstoppable. I'm a daughter in the royal family of Father God. Wow...and He loves me so much! I am filled with peace, joy, hope and I will NOT quit! I am healthy, strong, full of life and energy! I will not give up, until I'm taken up. I am more than a conqueror. I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me. I am a WINNER! In fact, I can JUMP from here to there......with one giant leap of faith!"

"For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7