What are you thinking?

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

Phillipians 4:8

I have been thinking a lot about my thinking. In other words, I have been paying attention to what thoughts are taking up my mental real estate. My thoughts have sometimes surprised me. I would love to say that my brain is on repeat with scripture memory passages, worship songs, and delightful, thankful thoughts and prayers for all of the beautiful people in my life. Those thought patterns bring light and joy to my mind. They bring peace to my body and soul. However, sometimes even without realizing it, I choose to accept and even dwell on negative, destructive thought patterns that may be contrary to God’s word. Many times when I notice my neck and shoulders are tensed up and my heart is beating faster, I can trace it back to something specific – a dark thought, a painful memory or a harmful filter based on a lie or fear or a grief. You see, God’s word teaches us that we can choose what we give mental real estate to. Those thoughts generate our emotions; those emotions fuel our behaviors; our behaviors determine the quality of our soul and even affect our bodily health.

Thank you Lord, for the amazing ways You connect our minds, bodies and spirits. Help us to choose to dwell today on what is good, true, right, pure and lovely.

  “For as a man thinks within himself, so he is.” Prov. 23:7. “Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.” Prov. 3:7b,8 What thoughts are you and I dwelling on today? It has been said that you can’t stop birds from flying over your head but you can stop them from nesting in your hair. We are informed by God’s Word to set our minds on things above. I encourage you to think about what you are thinking about. You may be surprised.