Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Proverbs 23:7
7 for he is the kind of person who is always thinking about the cost.[a]
“Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
Romans 12:2
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
We live in a world that is bombarded with negativity. It requires a conscious effort, and sometimes a mental fight just to remain positive. If you are not careful you can easily get pulled into the deep dark hole of fear, doubt, and despair and this is exactly where the enemy would love for us to reside. This is why what we are thinking is so important. We must choose our thoughts wisely.
When my daughter was away attending her second year of college, my husband and I decided to surprise her with a new car. We made the long eight-hour drive to her campus. When she saw her new car, she was over the moon excited and we were excited for her. This was her first time having her very own car, so you can imagine just how excited she was.
It wasn’t until she had to make her first trip home through 5 PM Dallas traffic, that I started to think maybe her having a car was not such a good idea. The very thought of her driving through Dallas traffic at the height of rush hour made my heart race. She had only had experience driving in our small town. I was paralyzed with fear! I was as close as I could possibly be, to having an anxiety attack without actually having one. My mind was going crazy with the What If’s. I prayed every two minutes. I am telling you, I was a nervous wreck! She is a great driver, but all I could see was my baby out there with all of those fast driving maniacs.
Finally, the Holy Spirit whispered to me, I knew her before you ever knew her. I love her more than you are capable of, and I will take care of her. At just the perfect time, God responded to my prayers with those comforting words.
Everything shifted for me at that very moment. I was reminded that I was not the only one that loved her so very much. God loved her too, and He would protect her. My soul was flooded with peace in that very moment, and it was all because I went to our Father in prayer. He knew that I was a mother in anguish over my baby girl, and He showed compassion towards me.
Just as my thoughts were running away with me, I am sure you have experienced this also from time to time. We start to think, what if this or what if that. It is amazing how in those times, our minds always go to the worst-case scenario, instead of thinking of all of the great things that could possibly happen from the situation.
I am learning that before I go crazy trying to mentally resolve things on my own, that maybe I should just whisper a prayer.
The battlefield truly is the mind. We have to constantly protect our thoughts, and replace the negative thoughts with positive thoughts immediately when they pop up. Lots of self-talk is key. It helps to refute those ugly negative thoughts out loud, so you can hear yourself shut them down. It is the only way to have a life of freedom. Your thoughts control your life. Negative lies from the enemy hold us in bondage. There is only liberty and freedom in the truths and promises that God has given us.
Don’t fall victim to Satan’s traps of doubt and fear or false accusations against you and your character. You are a child of the Most High God, and He has given you the power to walk with faith and courage, and He says to us all through His word: Do Not Be Afraid or discouraged. He says this because as long as we have Him on our side, we don’t have to live in fear or be discouraged. He is our protector and our provider.
So stay positive and remain hopeful, because it truly is the only way to live a peaceful, stress-free life. Ask yourself from time to time, What Am I Thinking? It will help you to understand why you are feeling, what you are feeling during that time. Remember your thoughts and feelings are definitely connected.
Remember to choose your thoughts wisely, you have the power to change the way you think. Choose to think and believe all that is good, true, and pure. Be Blessed and remain hopeful with the promises of God’s word.
2 Timothy 1:7
7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Ephesians 4:22-24
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
