Recently, I have had a hard time managing my thoughts. With all the things that are bothering me and concerns that I need to think of and attend to, I find it hard to keep my thought life in subjection to God.
Our minds are so much active that most of the time, it overwhelms us with so many thoughts. Hundreds and thousands of things linger on our minds everyday whether we are aware of it or not.
Probably,we have had a lesson on managing our time or managing our resources.But rarely do we focus on managing our thought life. It is pretty obvious when we squander our time and resources. And I admit, it is not easy to manage them. How much more with our thought life when people are not even aware of it? In the same way as our time and resources, our thought life must be managed well. Our minds are prone to wander with so much thoughts. Thus, we need to align it according to how the Lord wants us to manage, guard, and keep it. Gratefully,the Bible gives us a clear instruction on how to manage our thoughts.Managing them involves our conscious effort to choose what we allow to dwell on which would ultimately shape our thought life.
I once heard this question, “If someone will record your thoughts in a day and let others watch it (like your family and friends), would you be proud of it?” This is something to ponder on. If we can say that “it is fine,” then I would like to congratulate you. Because my answer is a big NO. Then how about God? Will you be able to meet His standards of a thought life captivated by Him? The bible says that we must “bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Does it mean just some of our thoughts or most of our thoughts? No. But all of our thoughts.
One familiar verse that I have to really cling onto in relation to guarding my thought life is found in Philippians.
“Finally,brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,whatsoever things are just,whatsoever things are pure,whatsoever things are lovely,whatsoever things are of good report,if there be any virtueand if there be any praise,think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
This verse helps me re-evaluate my thought life. Thank God because He has provided us His standards, so we can check our own way of thinking inline with His standards.
Is it true?Everyday we receive a lot of information and not all of those things are true. Is that certain news or information that we get certified true? Or it may just fall into the category of gossip? (There is a thin line between an information which is true and an information which is characterized as gossip). Is there any way that I can prove it right?
Is it honest? Does this thought dishonor God and others? Am I thinking this to make me feel better about myself at the expense of others?
Is it just? Does this thought bring fairness to the people around me? Am I having this thought towards others to exalt myself? Or I am just protecting myself? I am thinking of this out of selfishness?
Is it pure? Is this thought a reflection of my good relationship with God? Am I sure that God would be pleased with what I am thinking of? Does it reflect the holiness of God?
Is it lovely? Will God approve it? How about others? If I share this with them, will they be encouraged or will they be frustrated and discouraged?
Is it of good report? Is this something that will reflect my good character as a Christian lady? Or are these just lies that will keep me from truly walking a blameless life? Will God approve it?
Is it of virtue? Is it of moral excellence? Is it worthy to ponder on?
Is it of any praise? Will God give praise to my thought? Is He going to be happy as I ponder on this thing? Is it something that my fellows will agree and like?
Have you ever tried assessing your thoughts as what Paul exhorted us to do? If it aligns with God’s standards, then I think we should dwell on those things.
I found this effective in evaluating my thoughts in the Lord. It helps whenever my mind starts to think of things that do not bring honor and glory to God. It is not easy, but shaping our thought life in accordance with God’s will is something that we must aim.
If what we think brings glory to God, then I guess we must continue thinking on those things. Our thoughts determine our actions. What we think produces actions. And these actions shape our character.
“As a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).
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