WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

 Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, 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.

         When you have done something unwise or dumb, you may hear the retort, “What were you thinking?” I have often said that to myself, after I have made an unwise choice.

                We don’t often acknowledge the reality that the things that occupy our thoughts also shape our lives. Our thought life and our external actions are intricately linked. This usually manifests itself in negative ways, unfortunately. We think that someone is being rude to us, so we act rude to them. We think that we are being treated unfairly, so we complain and make a scene. We think we are not being valued, so we sulk. We think we are unloved, so we have a hard time loving others. Our thoughts have a profound impact on our actions.

                But this can work the other way as well. When I think that I am loved and valued, I can better love and value others. When I see the worth in others, I am able to encourage and bless them. When I think about God’s grace and mercy shown toward me, I am better able to extend grace and mercy to those around me.

                What we focus on in our mind manifests itself in our lives. Jesus made this very clear. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. (Matthew 12:34-35)

                We live in a world that focuses on the negative. Constantly, day by day, we are bombarded with negative thoughts. Most of what we see on the evening news or read on the internet is negative. Because we are constantly exposed to this, we begin to internalize it. We begin to see the world through a negative filter. Our thoughts become dark and disturbing. This is exactly what Satan wants to accomplish. By focusing on the negative, he can keep us off balance and unfocused. We are tossed here and there by the latest controversy or tragedy.

                There is a better way. It is a two-step process. First, we need to intentionally, actively dispense with the negative. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. (Ephesians 4:31) We cannot be passive about this. It takes effort to banish the negativity that permeates our society. We can do this by eliminating, or at least limiting, the negative voices that fill our minds with negative thoughts. We have to stop feeding the negative.

                Second, we need to intentionally replace the negative with the positive. Just eliminating negative input is not enough. It leaves a vacuum that will suck the negative right back. Jesus addressed this in Matthew 12:43-45. "When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation."  Our negative thinking must be actively replaced with positive thinking. So Paul instructs us to reorient our thoughts and our actions.

    Finally, brothers, 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. 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. (Philippians 4:8-9)

    Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

                We are all in control of what shapes our thinking and our actions. We are our own gatekeepers; only letting in what we want to come in. If we leave the gate open to the prevailing thinking of the world, we will plunge into a negative mindset. But if we guard the gate well, and focus on what God wants us to focus on, our lives and our actions will be transformed in a positive way. So, what are you thinking today?

Proverbs 4:23

Above all else, guard your heart,

for it is the wellspring of life.