Stinkin’ Thinkin’
Some days we wake up and we are not clearheaded. We drag ourselves from the bed. On days like this, I grumble all the way to the treadmill. I am not a coffee drinker, so it takes me awhile to get started. As I work out and stretch, I listen to Christian shows that awaken my mind and help me seize the day.
In his book to the Thessalonians, Paul reminds us to stay alert and clearheaded by placing the breastplate of faith and love over our hearts. He tells us to wear the helmet of the hope of salvation over our thoughts (1 Thessalonians 5:8 TPT).
Our thoughts can move us to the place of freedom or captivity. Imagine our thoughts like a bubble over our heads that we see in cartoons. For example, I made a negative remark about myself to George, and he quickly reminded me it was not true. As a young child, insults were spoken to me out of anger and frustration and I believed them. I carried those negative words into adulthood and let them affect my thinking. It was finally time to get rid of the negative bubble. If negative words are not dealt with, they take root in our thinking. We are what we think, say about ourselves, and our actions.
“For as he [she] thinks within himself [herself] so is he [she]” —Proverbs 23:7 TPT.
Albert Schweitzer said, “The greatest discovery of any generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering the attitudes of their minds.” The hope of our salvation moves us to have the thoughts the Lord has about us. David writes:
“Every single moment you are thinking of me! How precious and wonderful to consider that you cherish me constantly in your every thought! O, God, your desires toward me are more than grains of sand on every shore! When I awake each morning, you’re still with me.”
—Psalm 139: 17-18 TPT
“And you think of us all the time with your countless expressions of love.“ —Psalm 40:5c TPT
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” —Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
These are no empty words spoken by the Lord. He never lies to us. We must trust and believe His promises to us: he always thinks of us with countless professions of love.
When we examine ourselves and realize His thoughts are always wonderful towards us, why do we forget that? When we have negative thoughts or begin to act out the lies the enemy has told us, we are not believing the Word of God. He wants us to meditate on His love for us and not be hindered by the voices of the world. When lies enter our minds, we must turn our attention to Him. We can’t allow negative thoughts rooted in the past drive our thoughts and actions now. As Paul writes:
“Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure, holy, merciful, and kind.” —Philippians 4:8 TPT
Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: “That which dominates our imaginations and our thoughts will determine our lives, and our character.” Take your thoughts captive. Take a pin and pop the negative bubble above your head. Think on the positives in your life and meditate on what God says about you. Your days will surely become brighter.
Let’s pray:
Lord, in Your Word You tell me how special I am to You. You created me to live in the fullness of abundant life. Help me recognize when I have fallen into the enemy’s trap of wrong thoughts about myself. I am declaring that no weapon or ungodly thoughts formed against me will prosper. I praise You that Your thoughts are much higher about me than I realize or can even conceive. I praise You Lord for Your unfailing love! Amen.
