Our thoughts have the power to run our lives. What we think about throughout the day drives our emotions and ultimately our faith. Our thoughts are so powerful that it affects our mental, physical, and spiritual health. So what do we need to do to make sure that we think thoughts that are God-fearing and God-trusting? How can we be mindful and intentional about what we think? Let’s dive into what we can do actively.
Prioritizing Our Thoughts
Lately, my mind has been a priority when it comes to my relationship with God. That includes mindfully choosing to stay positive and the importance of gratitude. Peter said to be alert and of sober mind. Why? Because we have a spiritual enemy. That enemy hates our God and he prowls looking for someone to devour.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. - 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)
But here’s the thing: Jesus already defeated him at the cross. So how can the devil devour us? When we allow him to. The enemy loves to attack our minds with thoughts of our mistakes, failures, and shortcomings. He twists words and circumstances to keep us in bondage so our thoughts are constantly negative. We get anxious and worried often, instead of trusting God often. Our thoughts are so powerful because when we allow them to go mindlessly, it is easy to fall prey to the enemy.
But at the same time, when we submit to God and intentionally focus on His goodness, our thoughts have the power to give us joy.
Our Thoughts Are So Powerful Because It Is A Battlefield
Paul speaks of our thoughts as if we’re in a spiritual battle. Because the truth is, we are! Our thoughts are in a spiritual battle so how we can fight is by demolishing arguments and every claim that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. - 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5 (NIV)
So how can we apply this in our thought life? When we get reminded of our shortcomings, we don’t allow that negative talk to go further. Why? Because we are conquerors through Christ who strengthen us. If God calls us to do something, He gives the provision for us to be able to do it. His calling and provision go hand in hand. When Jesus walked on the water and Peter asked if Jesus would ask to go to Him, Jesus told Peter “come” (Matthew 14: 28-33). Jesus wouldn’t have called Peter if He didn’t have the power to provide Peter with the ability to walk on water.
When we feel the weight of guilt by our past mistakes, we remind ourselves of God’s Grace. God says when we repent of our sins, that He removes them as far from the east to the west. We need to be reminding ourselves that God’s grace is bigger than our failures. When anxiety and worry cross our minds, we need to take those thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ. And what do we need to obey? That we’re told not to worry, not to be anxious again and again, throughout the Bible.
What Should Our Thoughts Be On
When our default thought patterns are always negative or often fall into unholy thoughts, we need to be conscious. We need to make the decision to redirect these thought patterns. This is what the Bible says that our thoughts should be on.
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 (NIV)
So how can we practice this in our life? When we tend to think negative thoughts about ourselves or others, we need to instead remind ourselves of the truth. The truth is God finds us valuable enough to come down to earth and die for. Those we dislike are also offered the same gift of salvation that we received. So how can we think so negatively of God’s own creations?
When we find ourselves doubting our situations, wondering what God is doing, we need to think of the truth. The truth is God will never leave or forsake us. God knows us better than we know ourselves. He has our best interest. God is working even when we don’t feel it. He’s the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He remains the same good Father that will be with us no matter what. It may take practice and it will take time. Our new thought patterns need to be our new habit instead of continuing to think as we are now. Habits take weeks to form and we need to train our minds to default to Godly thoughts.
Let Us Pray
Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder that our thoughts are so powerful. I invite you, Holy Spirit, to remind me every single time my old thought patterns default to negativity and worry. I want to demolish the strongholds that have held me captive. I want to take captive every thought and make it obedient to You. Empower me to overcome through You. In Jesus’s name, I pray.
Recommendation
Knowing God starts with knowing His Word. If you don’t already own a Bible, there are many churches that give one for free. You can also download a YouVersion Bible App. Or if you’d like a physical copy, it can easily be found on amazon.