What You Think Matters

They say if you think you can or if you think you can’t, you’re right. And in my own life I have found this to be true.

How or what I think truly makes a big difference. I am scared to death to start this ministry, to post blogs, to share what I have learned, and maybe encourage people to grow with me. My fear takes over my mind and I think thoughts like; “Watch out, you can’t do it! Who do you think you are? Why you? Is this really what you’re supposed to be doing, is this your calling? What does everyone else think? You’re not really going to be encouraging, you’re just another voice in the wind.”

But, what I’ve learned is that, that kind of thinking only pushes me down. I have to take these thoughts captive and tell myself the truth. Instead, I tell myself to think this; “Try it and see where it goes. Be good at being a beginner, everyone starts somewhere. You can do this and even if you encourage only one person, it’s worth it. Do it for your children. You will always regret it if you never try. Find out if this is your calling.”

“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:6

And believe me, I have to battle this daily. The truth is, some of us are good at positive, half glass full, healthy thinking. Some of us are better at thinking the negative and more toxic kind of thoughts. Did you know we can change that, choose how to think? It’s a skill to learn. Some of us are good at cooking and some of us are not but, we can become better if we keep trying. We can keep working at it, and we all have to eat. So, thinking positive, healthy thoughts is something we master and become good at. You can learn how to control your thoughts and take them captive, which will help change your brain chemistry, influence your emotions, and even alter your character.

Healthy thinking can also affect our physical health...

Consider this, from Dr. Caroline Leaf’s Who Switched Off My Brain?:

“Research shows that around 87% of illnesses can be attributed to our thought life, and approximately 13% to diet, genetics and environment. Studies conclusively link more chronic diseases (also known as lifestyle diseases) to an epidemic of toxic emotions in our culture. These toxic emotions can cause migraines, hypertension, strokes, cancer, skin problems, diabetes, infections and allergies, just to name a few."

What are you thinking about? What are you putting in your head? Do you know that it matters?

There is a simple answer as to how to change it, but it does take work. Take your thoughts

captive and line them up with what the Bible says.

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ...” 2 Corinthians 10:5

What does the Bible say we should think?

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:4-9

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2

If I am in a season of negative thinking or really struggling with my thought life, I will write about it on paper. Thinking on paper really helps me.

I’ll divide the paper into 3 columns. I’ll write out my negative/toxic thoughts in the first column. The next column I’ll ask the question, “Is it true?” The third column I’ll answer what God says about it.

Here’s an example:

Then, I need to choose the right thought. Do I believe what God says or what I say? And for me, I need to choose it everyday. I need to remind myself everyday and take each thought captive.

And you can too. It gets easier the more you do it.

Author and Pastor Charles Swindoll tells us about the power we have to guide our thought life:

“Thoughts, positive or negative, grow stronger together when fertilized with constant repetition. That may explain why so many who are gloomy and gray stay in that mood, and why others who are cheery and enthusiastic continue to be so, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. Please do not misunderstand. Happiness (like winning) is a matter of right thinking, not intelligence, age or position. Our performance is directly related to the thoughts we deposit in our memory bank. We can only draw on what we deposit.

What kind of performance would your car deliver if every morning before you left for work you scooped up a handful of dirt and put it in your crankcase? The fine-tuned engine would soon be coughing and sputtering. Ultimately, it would refuse to start. The same is true of your life. Thoughts about yourself and attitudes toward others that are narrow, destructive and abrasive produce wear and tear on your mental motor. They send you off the road while others drive past.”

Blooming challenge: Start off this week by looking at your thought life. What are you thinking? Replace one or several negative thoughts this week. Do the work, it’s worth it.

If you find this is an area you need to work on, here are some great reads to get you going. Seriously, these are life changers and full of biblical truths!!

Switch on your Brain by Carolyn Leaf

Get Out of Your Head by Jenni Allen

Two little men stood looking at a hill,

One was named Can’t and the other was named Will.

Can’t said, “I never in the world can climb this hill.”

So, there he is at the bottom of it still.

Will said, “I’ll get to the top because I will.”

Two little men are living by the hill,

At the bottom is Can’t, at the top is Will!