Just as unhealthy eating habits don’t cause immediate problems, neither do bad thoughts show their affect right away. A person with a weight problem can go on for a long time and think they are doing ok. However, overtime the body will show the signs of wear and tear from eating too much or not eating enough. Eventually, people can develop health issues that are directly related to their weight management. We also eventually end up having life and relational issues due to negative thoughts we have entertained over the years.
For example, if you take any of these individuals who terrorize and kill innocent people in malls or schools, the majority had been developing negative thoughts towards themselves or others for years. They become alienated from others. They begin to collect guns. The little steps don’t seem concerning to them or others. People close to them may begin to realize something isn’t right but not sure what to do about it. Their thoughts continue to feed on negativity and paint a picture of reality that has nothing to do with truth. They isolate themselves because they don’t think others understand them fully, so the enemy continues to put dark and demonic thoughts in their minds about what is “true”.
Fortunately the majority of people don’t act out in heinous crimes. However, people’s unchecked thoughts still have serious implications on their spiritual health and well-being. Weight management is not easy, and neither is thought management.
Our mind has gotten used to a certain path of thinking and when pressure comes or we feel hurt, we allow our minds to feed on the lies of the enemy or our own past hurts and become polluted all over again.
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 above scripture is a healthy diet plan for good thought management. Just as a healthy diet plan prescribes healthy food to eat in the right portions, we also need to learn to take healthy portions of good food for our minds on a regular basis.
We need to learn not to be passive about the thoughts we entertain but think about, “is this a good thought? Is this healthy for me? Is this going to make me stronger or weaker? Is this going to keep me isolated or more connected? Will it produce hope or hopelessness in my life? Will it cause discouragement or encouragement?” That’s hard work. It takes discipline, intentionality, and consistency. When we choose to take in good thoughts, over time we will begin to feel more at peace and lighter in the Spirit because we haven’t been feeding on bad thoughts.
How are you doing with your thought management? Do you have a healthy diet of good thoughts?
