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As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. [1] Leading psychologists, motivational speakers and self-help gurus all agree that our thoughts determine our behavior. My question you today is what are you thinking?
I think, therefore I am
Look at this illustration: (›, symbolizes "leads to")
What we think ݬ what we believe ݬ how we behave ݬ what we become.
If you think that you are not worthy of love, you will begin to believe you are unworthy of love. That belief will lead you to behave in ways that show you have no self-love and will attract people to you who will not love, but rather abuse and use you. Because you behave in a manner that says, "no one loves me" that is who you will become: a person who people will not love.
What should I think?
Controlling our thoughts is an ongoing, moment-by-moment process. First, you must make a decision: I'm going to focus on the positive rather than focusing on the negative.
My grandmother would always say to me "count your blessings." When it looks like everything is chaotic and falling apart, I begin to think on the good things God has already done in my life and focus on that. I have learned that if God has done any good in my life (which He certainly has), He is well able to do it again regardless of the situation and circumstances I am presently facing!
There are times when I cannot think clearly because of f.e.a.r. (false evidence appearing real). It is when fear bounds me that I do a purposeful search of the bible for a Word from God relating to my situation. I read an article in a magazine, or I put in a CD or DVD of a preacher. I get the Word so I can think on the Word, rather than what I see in my life.
God says to think on those things, which are good, lovely, and of a good report. [2] He also says that those things we see are temporary, [3]which means subject to change. Since it is temporary, I can focus on what is permanent, God's Truth, and wait for that temporary thing to change.
Meditate
When we worry, we are meditating. Meditate means to moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot or speak. [4] Worrying causes us to think something over, we talk about it to everyone and we devise ways to fix that which we are worrying about...we put a lot of time and energy into worrying. Rather than negative meditation, we should look to the Word of God and meditate on that. We should ponder His Word, mutter It, speak It until we believe It, behave It and become It. [5] I spend time each day confessing the Word of God. I confess those things that I have spent time studying and thinking about, so I believe. It keeps me in remembrance of God's Word and focuses my daily thoughts.
Take action:
I have made this sound very simple because it is. We must diligently focus on changing how we think. It is an ongoing process, but one with many benefits.
Take these five simple steps:
1. Read and study your bible daily
2. Be careful what you hear, watch and say
* these are avenues for thoughts to come in
3. Listen to bible teaching, read articles based on the Word
4. Attend a bible teaching church regularly
5. Meditate on the Word
6. Confess the Word you have meditated on
Now it's time to go forth and think ourselves into a better life!
[1] Proverbs 23:7
[2] Philippians 4:18
[3] 2 Corinthians 4:18
[4] Hebrew 1897, Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
[5] Joshua 1:8