“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2 NIV)
Think about God.
If we’re to set our minds on things above, we have to focus our thoughts on God. We do that by engaging in His word, hanging with His people, and seeking a closer relationship with Him as a result. One lie to debunk, you can’t control your thoughts. Yes, you can. Choose what you think about, stop stinking thinking.
After my father died, when I was a teenager, I struggled with bulimia. In my sophomore year of college, I was in counseling for the emotional disorder about control. Because I felt out of control with my father’s passing, I tried to gain control through eating. As I came away from that period of life, I learned the power of choice. We can control our brains; we can find healthy ways to deal with the hurts of life. You can regulate what you think.
Control your thoughts.
What helps me focus my thoughts on God is starting my day with a quiet time. Reading His word each morning brings Him to the forefront of my mind. As the day progresses, inevitably, something happens that reminds me of what I read in the morning. This practice helps me curb my thoughts and look to things, not of this world. God’s word can help you, as well:
“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 NIV)
Controlling our thoughts requires capturing the bad ones. One visual I use is an airplane coming in for a landing. As the plane approaches, it asks for permission to land from the Air Traffic Control Tower. If denied, they must keep flying. In the same way, thoughts pour into our heads, asking permission to land. We can grant or deny their request; we have the choice. If it’s decline, let the thought keep on going, right on out the other side. Don’t let any ideas land you don’t want in your head.
When my mind starts going places it shouldn’t go, I seek God. Usually, the prayer is something like, “Lord, take control of my mind,” or “God reveal your truth to me.” My choice in controlling my thoughts begins with God. He helps me manage the runway of my mind. Allowing His word clearance for landing paves the way for victory over my mind. As I learn more and more about His promises, it’s easier to control my thoughts. When lies try to land, the truth sends them flying.
Use God’s promises to send negative thoughts flying. When you give His word permission to land, your thought life will change. Gain victory over your thoughts with God.
Question of the Day:
What thoughts are you letting land in your mind?
Further Reading: Jeremiah 8:8-9:26 NIV, Colossians 3:1-17 NIV, Psalm 78:32-55 NIV, Proverbs 24:27 NIV
