Watch Your Thoughts! How to Renew Your Mind
According to the National Science Foundation’s study that was conducted in 2005, the average person can have anywhere between 12,000 - 60,000 thoughts a day. Of those thoughts 80% of those thoughts were negative and 95% were repetitive. Another study showed that the majority of our thoughts are about things that never happen. Let that sink in.
As you wash your face you can wash your mind
What you think matters. Your thoughts aren’t as harmless as you think. They can be and often are the framework of your life and your reality. They have the ability to frame the world around you. How? While it cannot control your external world it can control something incredibly powerful and important… YOU. It controls your outlook on life, the words that you speak, and the decisions you make. If you don’t take control of your thoughts, they can easily take control of you. Your thoughts can while imaginary or real have an impact on your reality. The power of your mind is not just significant in psychology but, biblically also.
“For as he thinketh in heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7)
God has an opinion on your thoughts because He has the best for you and He’s aware that when thoughts are left unchecked they can become strongholds. Strongholds are deep-rooted thought patterns that dictate your behaviors. God wants to dismantle your strongholds so you can walk in all that God has for you. He knows the plans He has for you…”plans to prosper you and not to harm you plans to give you hope and a future.” Even though God has the best plans for you - your own thoughts and mindsets can sabotage God’s very best for you. This is why it’s important to begin the journey of dealing with your thoughts.
Working on your mind is key and it's a process. You need to first acknowledge that there’s a need for change. We can soeasily accept the status quo even when it’s damaging to us. So, we have to first admit that work needs to be done - and recognize that we have unhealthy thought patterns that are interfering with our lives. Then we have to decide that we’re willing to do work, even though it may be hard. Some days will be easier than others. What helped me was telling myself that I was realigning my mind to God’s thoughts. The Bible tells us in Isaiah 55 that God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts, what we fail to realize is that this is an invitation to think higher as we are called to sit in heavenly places with the Lord. God doesn’t want us to remain at this level. Knowing that it’s possible to rewire our thinking, this should bring hope.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5-11)
We can renew our minds. We do this by learning what truth is and what lies are. We discover the truth, and the truth is a person when we spend time with Him. Him being Jesus. When you study the word of God you begin to get to know truth. So, when lies pop into your mind whether self-induced or from the enemy you’ll be able to distinguish what is of God and what isn’t. The Bible becomes your reference point. Acknowledging when a thought needs to be reworked is key.
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5)
When you have a negative thought that pops up that doesn’t align with the word of God. Rebuke it and denounce it. Not just in your mind but, out loud as well. Speak the direct contradiction of that negative thought. When you meditate on the word of God - you’re renewing it. You’re training your mind to think according to Christ. You’re rewiring your neurological pathways to think in healthy ways and creating better thought patterns. It’s in the renewing of your mind that you are transformed (Romans 12:2). Your transformation occurs when you renew your mind which comes from spending time with God.
We are so blessed that the Bible tells us exactly what to think about. Replace your negative thoughts with ones that are lovely. Imagine and ponder on God’s goodness and love towards you. Think about the promises of God. This will heighten your hope. When we’ve suffered from disappointments our mind tries to protect itself by seeing danger everywhere. All of sudden you make a monument of a moment. Thinking… this always happens to you, when in actual fact God knows the plans He has for you. Think about those plans - meditate on them until you believe them.
“Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].” (Philippians 4:8)
Remember to be patient with yourself with this journey of renewing your mind but remain adamant and determined. Be willing to get help as well. Whether it’s through prayer, fasting, or seeking therapy. I honestly recommend all three. You don’t have to do it alone, nor should you. Surround yourself with people who will speak to this area of your life and are willing to intercede for you.