Have you limited yourself by your own thinking? Do you struggle to stay positive? Mindset is a premier topic in the Bible. I like to think of it this way, the person of Jesus prepares you for heaven, but His principles prepare you for life here on earth.
One of my favorite scriptures is Ephesians 3:20. The Amplified version gives a clear picture, “Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever.” In this verse, the power that works in us is our asking and our thinking.
It is true for most of us that a new way of thinking is the key to producing the results we want. We need a check up from the neck up! There are three areas I believe we need to consider as we check up on our thinking.
- Transformation: We need to look at things differently. In Romans 12:2 we learn to not copy the world but to let God transform us by changing the way we think. By changing our thinking, we can change our world. God has a plan and pattern for your life. His plans for you are good. Do not conform to the world’s pattern but to God's pattern which is good, victorious, and abundant. God's plan is always better than our plan. In the world, we will have trials and tribulation. But, He will fight with you in your battles and He always wins. Get into His perfect plan for your life. Transformation means a change in nature, metamorphosis. As you renew your mind to God's way of thinking, you will change from the inside out. You learn new things, what to believe about God and about yourself based on what He says about you. We gain Godfidence, knowing we are His and who we are in Him. Godfidence is confidence in Him. It's important to read the Bible, pray, and go to church but changing your mind brings transformation. Think differently. Favorable circumstances will follow. Believe God will do good things in your life.
- Declaration: In Joshua 1:8, we are given clear instruction, “Study this Book of Instruction (God’s word) continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” We are to meditate on God's word day and night. What does meditate mean? It means to not cease speaking what God says out of your mouth but talk to yourself day and night. Then prosperity and good success, doing well, comes. Prosperity and doing well follow speaking God’s word to yourself day and night. Use the right words to talk to yourself. Words are powerful. Are you hurting yourself by what you're saying to yourself? Please, speak positive things to yourself. Proverbs 21:5 (NIV) “The plans (thoughts) of the diligent lead to profit (plenty).” John prays for you in his epistle, 3 John, verse 2, “I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” The soul is the seat of your feelings, desires, affections, will and emotions. Our soul gives us good health through what we're thinking, declarations that our mind makes on a daily basis.
- Meditation: Train your mind to focus on what is good and what is godly, taking captive your thoughts. The mind is a continual battlefield. Meditation is training your mind to focus on the good things God has for you. Philippians 4:8 teaches us to fix our thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. God, and life, will give you what you think about most often. Think about your thinking. Going back to Ephesians 3:20, considering Him who is able to carry out His purpose beyond anything we can ask or think, infinitely more than anything we can ask or think - we realize thinking is a huge part of this equation. We are not just talking about the five minutes or even the hour that we pray. It's the thinking during the next 23 hrs and 55 minutes that impacts our lives more. Our thinking is a lot more powerful than we typically give it credit for. Many Bible promises are tied to our thinking. God will provide all He paid for and He paid for a lot more than just our getting to heaven. He paid for life and life more abundant. Get wisdom in your thinking. According to Proverbs, wisdom is like sharpening your ax. It makes things a whole lot easier.
God has set up life to bless you. What are you thinking about most often? Even the word “repent” means to think differently. You are not unworthy scum. God doesn't make junk. As you think differently, you will act differently and your life will change. You will stop hindering your life and open yourself to faith and receiving from God. Change your mind, change your world.
