Think About What You’re Thinking About

How to Replace the Bad with the Good

…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 (AMP)

Yesterday, we discussed the importance of what we think and believe. Even if something is not true, if we choose to dwell on it and believe it, then it affects our lives in a negative way.

So, let’s take this one step further. Let me ask you: Do you think about what you’re thinking about? This may sound funny; however, learning to regularly take inventory of our thoughts is essential to having a good life. Instead of being “unthinking” people, we can train ourselves to think about what’s going on in our mind.

It was a glorious revelation for me when I realized I don’t have to think about just anything that comes into my mind. I can choose my thoughts and do my own thinking—on purpose.

There was a time in my life when I would continually dwell on the negative, thinking about everything I didn’t have, the way I was mistreated by a friend, or something my husband did to offend me. This kind of thinking not only made me upset and bitter, but it also prevented God from bringing healing to those areas.

But now it’s exciting to me to realize I don’t have to sit by passively and let the enemy fill my mind with poisonous and destructive thoughts. Instead, I can learn to recognize them, and with God’s help, I can think about something else that will be beneficial.

What you think about has everything to do with your joy, happiness, and the overall quality of your life. But it’s not just good enough to stop thinking about the wrong things—we also need to replace them with good, healthy, positive thoughts from God’s Word.

Philippians 4:8 (AMP) says, 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].

The Bible presents a lot of detailed instruction on what kinds of things we are to think about. We are instructed to think on good things—things that will build us up and not tear us down. Why? Because our thoughts affect our attitudes, moods, and what we believe about ourselves. Everything the Lord tells us is for our own good—He knows what will make us happy and what will make us miserable.

God’s Word is the answer to combatting the lies of the enemy. And the more we know His Word and get it deep down on the inside of us, the more we will enjoy freedom in every area of our lives.

Walk It Out: It may take some time to develop the habit of “thinking about what you’re thinking about.” So, I recommend you try this exercise. Use a sticky note, an alarm on your phone, or even a card you place on your refrigerator or desk to daily remind yourself to take inventory of your thoughts. Are you thinking positive, hope-filled thoughts that agree with God’s Word? If it helps, keep a journal to document your thought life as you cooperate with God to change in this area.

Study Tip: For the remainder of your study time today, I want you to try this: Write down at least one or two negative thought patterns that you have struggled with. Then research God’s Word to find what He says about it. Jot down the positive, godly thoughts so you can think about them often.

For instance, if you struggle with thoughts of feeling insignificant or unlovable, you may write down: “I am a child of God and I am fearfully and wonderfully made. He loves me and cares about every single detail of my life. Before I was ever born, He approved of me. He has a great plan for my life!” (Psalm 139; Romans 8:38; Jeremiah 1:5, 29:11.)