In a world filled with distraction, sin and trauma, how many “things” a day would you say you think on that are excellent and praiseworthy? If you are anything like Sara, focusing on the negative is so much easier than on the positive. But in her studies this week, she was reminded of a small scene in Peter Pan that is so appropriate:
Peter is in the children's bedroom; they have seen him fly; and they wish to fly too. They have tried it from the floor and they have tried it from the beds and the result is failure. "How do you do it?" John asked. And Peter answered: "You just think lovely, wonderful thoughts and they lift you up in the air."
That sentiment is a little sappy but it also contains a measure of truth. The only way to defeat evil thoughts is to learn to think differently.
BE IN THE WORD:
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8)
BE EDUCATED:
1. Think On These Things An article that breaks down each of the words Paul instructs us to think on.
2. The Perfect You author Dr. Caroline Leaf. We have incredible minds that are truly worth celebrating. We must also remember, however, that with the incredible power in our minds come responsibility for how we use it: we cannot escape the consequences of our choices.
3. Bigger Than I Thought You Were by Passion Music. This is the song Monica talks about.
BE DOERS, NOT JUST HEARERS:
“You are special. You are unique. You have a particular way of thinking, feeling, and choosing that acts like a filter through which you experience reality. It shapes the worldview you build into your mind, which in turn shapes your future thoughts, feelings, words and behavior. If this filter is broken, your perception of reality can become distorted. If you are bitter or have low self-esteem, for example, your world view can become clouded by toxic thinking, which in turn shapes your mindset and actions…trauma and sin can interrupt your design.” (Dr. Caroline Leaf)
Do you know you? How well do you know yourself? Your personality? Your natural tendencies? Is your filter broken? What has happened to you that you might be hanging onto aware or unaware that is distorting your reality?“It is important to remember that thoughts are made into habits through deliberate, repeated, and conscious cognitive thinking. This type of thinking has to occur for a minimum of 3 cycles of 21 days in order for the true understanding to take place.”
Are you trying to develop new ways of thinking? What deliberate strategies have you put into place in order to change your way of thinking?“To ensure that we stay in our Perfect You and correctly respond to the circumstances of everyday life, we need to train ourselves to consult with the Holy Spirit on a daily basis. We can ask the Holy Spirit to help us renew our mindsets and teach us how to react and behave. The Holy Spirit will guide us, if we choose to listen to him, and show us the correct way to ‘consciously veto’ our thinking, feeling and choosing. In this way, we fulfill the requirements of Scripture to constantly pray.”
Do you call upon the Lord, upon the Holy Spirit to help you grow and change the areas of your life you know is
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