Two-minute read.
Nothing transforms your life until you transform your thoughts. What we think leads to what we do. Negative thoughts lead to negative actions; positive thoughts lead to positive actions.
A friend sent me a video clip of a lawyer speaking at a church. He talked about meeting a woman who changed his life. When he arrived at her church to speak, she peppered him with questions: “Do you got good stuff? Do you like to give? What about worship?” With each question, she talked about Jesus and the importance of preaching well for Him, giving Him your best, and praising Him with vigor.
Her love for the Savior flowed from every part of her being.
Then he found out this woman, who praised the Lord, had a tragic past, having lost two sons in a drive-by shooting and battling cancer. As the man reflected on the woman who exuded Jesus, despite her struggles, he concluded. “I want to be like her.”
The woman chose to take Paul’s advice and focus her thoughts on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise. And only one person perfectly fits that description: Jesus. In the midst of her tragic life circumstances, she focused her eyes on the Savior and lived for Him. She experienced a transformed life because of her transformational thoughts.
As I did when working through a difficult situation that sent my mind spiraling. Seeking God and focusing my mind on Him helped me not get stuck in the offense. Instead, I laid my pain at the foot of the cross, trusting the Lord. Then I focused on the Savior, allowing Him to heal my wounds.
Paul encourages us to “think about,” which means more than having a passing thought. The Greek word means to carefully consider, dwell on, or continually meditate on these things. By training our minds to think on the good rather than allowing anxiety, sin, or negativity to control our thoughts, we will experience transformation as well.
Developing a disciplined mind means intentionally dwelling on what is true, honorable, pure, and worthy of praise. Our hearts will reflect Christ more closely, and we will become better equipped to experience God’s peace and live faithfully for Him.
Journal Questions:
- What thoughts dominate your mind?
- Are those thoughts true and helpful?
- What godly thought can replace them?
Stressbuster:
Make a list of positive truths from Scripture.
