What are you thinking?
Ever heard the statement, “you are what you eat”? Well, I would like to suggest that we can also become what we think. Now I don’t mean if you think you are a millionaire you will suddenly become one. I am talking about those thoughts that can shape our lives.
Our thinking can become:
- Weapons for or against us
- Tools to help or hinder
- Fears realized and irrational
- Faith spoken and purposeful
- Love true and real
- Hope believed
Scripture tells us in Philippians how to think in order to have a life of peace. This does not mean adversity will not come, it just means that with right thinking we approach the situation in the right way. Philippians 4:8-9 says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
Our thoughts are shaped by many things, our upbringing, culture, belief system, body shape, love, expectations, fear, hate, intimidation. When reading the scripture in Philippians 4:8-9, we come to understand that it is not our thoughts that should rule us, but we ourselves that should govern our thoughts. Thoughts often fleetingly pass through our minds, and if lingered upon, can cause us to develop feelings about a situation or person. Suddenly, a thought of how we can make ends meet this month becomes fear of unpaid bills, anger at our situation when so many others are blessed, frustration that we cannot do anything more about the situation, and the list goes on. This thought process can even lead to developing feelings of resentment toward God for where we are.
It has been said that you cannot stop a bird from flying over your head, but you can stop it from making a nest in your hair. In the same way, if we focus and meditate, and think about things that are true, honest, just, pure, and lovely, we can stop negativity in its tracks. If indeed our bills may go unpaid this month, think on things that are true … God is a provider. When we take into captivity anything that would contradict the word of God, it will be very difficult not offer praise to a God who is more than able, even amidst trying times. The peace of God shall be with you, our scripture says, when we have right thinking. If we are often then a product of our thinking, then right thinking will bring forth faith and encouragement.
Romans 12:2 (NLT) says this…”Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” When our thinking lines up with what God has for us, even during the trying times of our life, our thinking can be transformed and we can follow the will of God, trusting Him, and not trying to find solutions on our own. This will be good and pleasing and perfect, even when life is not.
By Angie Hallam
