Have you heard the saying, “you become what you think”?
If you examine your thoughts, what will you find?
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7 NKJ)
The thoughts we think impact our health (physical, mental and spiritual). Whatever we dwell on will grow. To see positive change in your health, take control of your thoughts.
How do you take your thoughts captive?
“We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NLT)
One of the largest battlefields we face against the enemy of our souls is the battle for our thoughts. “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
When we examine our thoughts, we destroy the thoughts that keep us from knowing God. Fear, worry, unforgiveness, bitterness, and jealousy are all thoughts that separate and distract us from God’s love and power. Negative thoughts pull us down. They do not yield life.
We fix our thoughts on God’s truth. Phillips 4:8 NLT says, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
We line up our thoughts with the thoughts and promises of God, which gives the Spirit the opportunity to renew our thoughts and attitudes. (Ephesians 4:23 NKJ)
Ephesians 3:20 NKJ states, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Allowing the Spirit to work accomplishes more than we could ask for or think of.
Focusing our mind and thoughts on the promises of God floods our bodies with feelings of comfort and peace. Our minds and bodies are able to rest. “A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones.” (Proverbs 14:30 AMP)
As you recognize negative thought patterns, turn them around. Align them with the truth of what God says.
You can change your thoughts, change your mind and positively impact your health in the process.
What thought processes can you change today?
Because of Him, Hope Prevails!
Dr. Michelle Bengtson
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Thanks so much, Michelle. Yes, saturating our minds in God’s Word is both life-changing and thought-changing. I went through a significant time of grumbling in my life years ago, and the Lord showed me, through His Word, that this attitude actually was sinful. As I aligned counteracting my negative attitude with His antidote–praise and thanksgiving–my thoughts changed, and so did I. One thing that helped me, in addition to reading the bible daily, was keeping a joy journal, where I would note these new, God-centered thoughts. It was kind of a precursor for what I read today about gratitude lists, but where I went into more detail about why I was thankful. It was a powerful, life-altering experience, all fueled and enabled by His Word. Thank you so much for sharing this important, God-honoring counsel.
Blessings,
Lynn
Lynn, whether we call it a gratitude journal or a joy journal, I think the perspective is the same…our goal is to focus on the goodness of God, all the positive aspects of our lives, to combat the steady stream of negativity that is so easy to fall into. It truly is life-changing! Because of Him, Hope Prevails!
Thank you Michelle, for the wonderful scriptural reminders of God’s truth. When our negative thoughts threaten to overtake us, we need to remember His truth.
Ellen, I have found that when I will remember to stand on His truth, it’s the best first line of defense in every situation! Because of Him, Hope Prevails!
Michelle – so true as to how our thoughts can lift us up or drag us down. Often in the blink of a negative thought my mind can be off and racing into “more” and how important it is to catch those times fast. I like to image the Good Shepherd with his staff gently pulling me back to Him. “Hey, it is sunny over here with Me.” Turning those thoughts, which may genuinely need to be discussed and processed into a prayer time WITH HIM can redeem the moments.
I recently read in the “Jesus Calling” devotional that when such times come and I let them take over – the negative thoughts – that they grieve God. That gave me a whole new perspective to use as “damage control” when my mind gets going for to grieve Him certainly would grieve me.
Great words and reminders – thanks!
Lynn
Lynn, thank you for your vulnerability in sharing your own experience. The enemy is so quick to pummel us with negativity, but I love the vision you gave of the Good Shepherd with his staff pulling us back to Him in the sunny spaces. God can handle our genuine emotions, and He is the perfect one to take them to, but Oh how He delights in us seeing things from His perspective! And as you pointed out, I don’t want to grieve God with my mind, when he tells us in 2 Timothy that He gives us a sound mind! Because of Him, Hope Prevails! Dr. Bengtson
Taking our thoughts and lining them up with the Word of God. Amen, and Amen!
Thanks Diane. Nothing will have a greater impact in our lives than making sure our thoughts line up with the word of God. Because of Him, Hope Prevails! His word prevails forever.
MIchelle, what a good word this is! Thanks for encouraging us to kick “stinking thinking” to the curb. 🙂
Lyli, the enemy can get a foothold if we aren’t diligent to know and apply the word. The only way to get rid of the “stinking thinking” is to stack it up against what God says. He’s the ultimate truth. His word is true and sharper than any two-edged sword. Because of Him, Hope Prevails!
Wonderful word Michelle thank you!!
You’re most welcome! Blessings!
Each day that I have negative thoughts, I think about the verse in Psalm 139: 17-18 How precious to me are your thoughts,a God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them,they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you. God thinks of me an infinity number each day, the least I can do is to believe Psalm 19:14 that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. And take those negative thought at the very threshold of my mind and give them to God because he loves me that much. Great post, Thanks Michelle.
And the beautiful thing, Diana, is that He gives us HIS thoughts. We were created in His image, and as believers have the Holy Spirit taking up residence inside us, giving us God’s thoughts. Oh if we would take captive EVERY thought that doesn’t align with His truth, how different our lives would be.