I was just thinking…
Learning to control our thoughts is a process that leads to freedom from an imprisoned mind shackled by life’s challenges, past experiences, and seemingly senseless situations.
What are you thinking?
I honestly don’t know what you’re thinking as you begin reading this, or what you will think after reading this essay. Nevertheless, my intent is to encourage you in the disciplines of your thought life by applying selective thinking—choosing your thoughts based on biblical truths.
I’m sure you will agree that trying to control thoughts about even the simplest things of everyday life can be wearisome.
For example, when my 17-year old son was sure he found his first and only love, Bianca, he charted their month-to-month anniversary on the wall calendar. Their artistic creativity was exchanged through love letters, notes, and on scraps of papers I found throughout the house… (Yes I was a snoop if that’s what you want to call it!) But there’s really no “right to privacy†law in my house).  After finding all this, guess what I was thinking?  Thoughts flooded my mind like a broken levee… Oh, no! This relationship cannot be that serious!  What is he thinking? He should be thinking about graduation, college, and career.
My thoughts were out of control. I told myself to calm down. I knew if I didn’t redirect my thoughts I would become a weary, overprotective mother. Â Anxiety and uncontrollable emotions would eradicate any hopes of logic reasoning or spiritual insight. Â I could not predict his hormone reactions, nor manipulate his thinking process. The truth is, I really didn’t know what he was thinking. Therefore, rather than wasting time trying to manipulate his thoughts and make assumptions, I talked to him. I asked him about his thoughts on love and relationships.
I told him and showed him what God’s word said, and I personally modeled the way in my attitude and actions. I am not naïve. I knew he was not sharing all his thoughts. Did you share all yours with your parents when you were a teenager? Right… Nevertheless, my responsibility was to teach him the importance of selective thinking; help him learn how to apply biblical principles in his relationships. It was my responsibility to show him that every aspect of life, especially his personal life, is governed by the power of his thoughts—positive or negative. Ultimately, he would have to learn how to manage his thoughts, or they would become the master of his life good or bad, right or wrong.
Controlling our thoughts through selective thinking empowers us to:
- Manage life without becoming emotionally bankrupt.
- Patiently endure adversity by redirecting our thoughts toward God and His Word
- Be victorious over every situation knowing that God’s got your back.
Let’s consider Apostle Paul as our example along with his instructions recorded in Philippians 4. Although he was imprisoned in a Roman jail, he wrote this letter of encouragement to the church at Philippi. He was definitely in a situation where his perspective could have been distorted by his hardships. Unless he had controlled his thoughts through selective thinking, discouragement and disappointment would have been his daily doses of medicine.
How often do we let unfavorable circumstances be the energy that propels negative thinking?
In fact, studying Paul’s life, we learn that we cannot allow our mind to be imprisoned by negative thoughts of adverse circumstances. Using selective thinking to control our thoughts enables us to stay encouraged and encourage others to stand firm through difficulties. If Paul had focused on the “down-side†of his situation and restrained his thoughts to the same, he would have given up on sharing the good news (gospel) of Jesus Christ. No doubt, he would have aborted his divine mission. Instead, he chose to live in God-consciousness—seeing from God’s perspective and relying on his personal knowledge of God. Consequently, he experienced the peace of God in the worst of situations and could help others do the same (Philippians 1:12; 4:4-7).
Guess what?
We can experience this same peace in the midst of adversity through selective thinking—choosing what we think about.
Paul closed his letter to the Philippians with the formula for securing the peace of God through the application of selective thinking—choosing your thoughts.
Here is what he said,
Finally…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 (Philippians 4:8).
Also, what I find that’s equally important is Paul’s example of leadership. (v.9), “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.â€
We Christians should not only be selective in our thoughts, but we must remember that our conduct and conversations reveal our thoughts. We are all leaders whether we hold positions and titles or not. We are examples.  We are Christ’s witnesses. Therefore, we must model the Way, Truth and the Life so that others can practice what they have learned from us, received or heard from us, and most definitely seen in us.  Need I say, we should be modeling Christian character? Perhaps you’re thinking what a petty example to use my son. But ultimately the point I want to make is this: Even in the simplest things of life we must channel our thoughts so that we add value to our life, our relationships, and our decision-making.
Learning to control our thoughts through selective thinking positions and empowers us to
- Offer encouragement to others
- Be insightful and apply wisdom and knowledge
- Teach and instruct others in God’s Word to live purposeful and victorious lives through Christ.
 After all, what we think is central to who we are, what we do, and how we live.
I was just thinking…
If every Christian accepted a leadership role, by modeling Christ-like character in daily simplistic living, using selective thinking, applying biblical principles, and obeying the Word of God, we could change what the “world†thinks about Christ.
And the Presence, Peace, and Power of God would be manifested in and through us to advance the Kingdom of God.
I was just thinking… What are you thinking?
©2007 ©2015 Queen E. F. Phillips. Revised. All rights reserved. Permission granted to use for non-commercial use without written permission. Credit must be given to copyright owner.
Building Up the Wall
Devotion by Rev. Ross Adams
30 “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.
Commentary:
The wall spoken of here is not made of stone, but of faithful people united in their efforts to resist evil. This wall was in disrepair because there was no one who could lead the people back to God. The feeble attempts to repair the gap–through religious rituals or messages based on opinion rather than God’s will– were as worthless as whitewash; only covering the real problems. What the people really needed was total spiritual reconstruction! When we give the appearance of loving God without living his way, we are covering up sins that could eventually damage us beyond repair. Don’t use religion as a whitewash; repair your life by applying the principles of God’s Word. Then you can join with others to stand “in the gap†and make a difference for God in the world through prayer and intercession.
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If you don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you can at this moment confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God hath raised Him from the dead. With this action, you are saved! Be sure to read your bible, get connected to a fellowship of believers in and followers of Christ so that you may grow in knowledge of and in relationship with our Lord. If you desire, please contact me directly, as I am willing to assist you in any way that I can