In the last devotional, I wrote about Freeing up the mind by tearing down strongholds and doing a major house cleaning. While the spiritual house cleaning is a foundational work in a believer’s life, the more difficult part of the recovery is the disciplined and hard work of thinking differently from now on.
Our thoughts affect our emotions and how we feel about our circumstances, those around us, and even ourselves. The scripture in Romans 12:2 tells us to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind..”. It doesn’t tell us to renew our emotions but our minds. What we think, does affect our mood and emotions. If we think right, our emotions will follow suit. It is very important not to allow thoughts to passively enter our minds and start controlling us. Our mind needs to come under the control of the Holy Spirit and His truth. How can we love God with all our mind if it is occupied with thoughts that are not from Him?
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9
The word “think”: Greek (G 3056 lo-g?’-zo-m?) to reckon, count, compute, calculate, count over, to take into account, …., to impute, a thing is reckoned as or to be something, i.e. as availing for or equivalent to something, as having the like force and weight to number among, reckon with.
The word “think” in the above scripture is not an opinion, or “mind over matter”. It is a reckoning whereby it is so tangible that you can count on it like money in your bank account. You can cash it in. It is not wishful thinking nor is it a fantasy.
According to the above scripture and the definition associated with the word “think”, we are exhorted to see what is true, praiseworthy, and of good report as the real thing. That means if we are entertaining a lie, a presumption, a self-defeating thought, or a critical thought about someone else, we need to hold them captive. Then, we find a better thought to think about.
Because the negative thoughts have given us false security in protecting us, letting go of them will challenge us to a higher place of trusting God. If protection or defense is required, He’s got our back, and we don’t have to do it in by entertaining negative thoughts, arguments, or strongholds.
There are times that the situations or circumstances don’t look or feel good, so it is hard to think good, noble, and praiseworthy thoughts. In those situations, we look to the Lord and think of His goodness, nobility, and praiseworthiness. We press into faith and declare God’s character and His purpose over our situation. He is lovely, and what He does in our lives will produce good.
We remind ourselves that the Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever, so He will come through again. We worship him in the beauty of His holiness even when our vision is clouded with darkness, and we can’t see anything beautiful. The more we focus on Him and His goodness, the higher we rise above our circumstances. Those negative thoughts can’t control us any longer because we have brought everything to the obedience of Christ. Praise God!
Catch your thoughts today, and put the above scripture to practice when the negative ones cross your mind.