Think The Right Thoughts
The human mind is an incredible creation from the almighty hand of God! The mind is our inner control system, and the potential it possesses to influence our emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being is unquestionable. As Solomon once said, “as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7 NKJV). We are what we think! Our behavior is the byproduct of our thinking! This reality, though, is a double edged sword. Just as positive and constructive thinking can help put us on a course for happiness and success, negative and destructive reasoning can deadlock us on a path of misery and disappointment. It’s hard to live a happy and fulfilled life when your mind is overflowing with negativity. Learning how to shift our thinking patterns is essential to combat anxiety and experience the peace God promises.
The apostle Paul understood the importance of controlling what thoughts live in our mind. As he was closing his prison letter to the church at Philippi, he said, “finally, brothers, whatever is true, what-ever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8 ESV). Paul’s been writing with a heavy focus on conflict, stress, and anxiety. His final teachings in this chapter are designed to help the child of God experience “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). Paul has just written about the importance of a healthy prayer life in battling anxiety, but he now follows up this teaching with a few words about our thinking. The implication is that our perception must change right along with our prayers. Casting a burden on the Lord will do us no good if we pack up that problem, continue to carry it around, and analyze it in our mind. We’ve got to pray the right prayers and think the right thoughts! Both are essential to experience God’s peace. Therefore, as Paul teaches, believers must meditate on things that are Biblical and beneficial!
If you really want to make this year count and experience God’s peace in 2021, challenge yourself to take small steps each day to shift your thinking. Perhaps, though, one of the best ways to challenge your thinking is to confront some of the leading causes of destructive thinking: fear of the future, anxiety about the present, and shame about the past. So, instead of thinking bad thoughts because you fear the uncertain future, deeply ponder God’s power and providence. Rather than dwelling on nervous thoughts about the chaotic present, try to meditate on God’s presence in your life. Instead of feeling shame about long past failures, fill your memory with God’s promises of love and forgiveness. Think the right thoughts! You don’t have to succumb to a life of bad thinking and discouragement! You can have “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
Brandon Baggett is a former Pulpit Minister for Eastern Meadows Church of Christ.
