It's estimated our brains produce as many as 60,000 thoughts per day. It's also estimated that upwards of 70-80% of those thoughts are negative. Is it any wonder so many people are depressed? If the vast majority of our thoughts are negative, why wouldn't we be depressed all the time?
There's a progression that takes place between the thoughts we have and the person we become. It goes something like this:
· Our thoughts become words.
· Our words become actions.
· Our actions become habits.
· Our habits become our character.
· Our character determines who we are.
What begins as a thought becomes what we do, and what we do becomes who we are.
King Solomon said it like this – "As a man thinks in his heart - so is he!" Proverbs 23:7
Mahatma Gandhi said, "A man is but the product of his thoughts - what he thinks, he becomes.”
· Our words become actions.
· Our actions become habits.
· Our habits become our character.
· Our character determines who we are.
What begins as a thought becomes what we do, and what we do becomes who we are.
King Solomon said it like this – "As a man thinks in his heart - so is he!" Proverbs 23:7
Mahatma Gandhi said, "A man is but the product of his thoughts - what he thinks, he becomes.”
What they're saying is this: our thoughts are the center point of what we do and who we become! Everything is influenced by our thoughts!
So the big question is - if our thoughts influence everything in our life - what influences our thoughts?
Do you wish you had better control over your thought life?
You'd be surprised to know how much control you have over your thoughts - and your ability to control your responses to your thoughts.
Two key truths to control your thoughts:
1. You have the freedom to choose your thoughts.
Paul, writing to a group of believers about the heart and mind we should have, said this: Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. (Phil 2:5)
Key word "let." Why would he use this word if we didn't have a choice?
You have the freedom to choose your thoughts!!!
2. You have to choose to think about "these things" not "those things!"
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8 ESV)
Think about "these" things not "those" things! What do we tend to think about? We tend to focus on "those things"- the opposite of "these things!"
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8 ESV)
Think about "these" things not "those" things! What do we tend to think about? We tend to focus on "those things"- the opposite of "these things!"
Both "these things" and "those things" will always co-exist, but we have the freedom to choose which will occupy our minds.
So what are you thinking about: "these things" or "those things"?
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