A number of years ago I heard someone asked about his job. He was raised on a farm and grew up to have a job in an office. He was asked if he would ever consider working on a farm again. He replied that he enjoyed the farm, but if he were to go back, he would need to decide what he would think about. That’s one of the smartest comments I’ve ever heard. His experience of working on the farm had been primarily labor not thinking. He knew that his mind wouldn’t be empty. He would be thinking about something. What would it be? He could let his mind run wild or he could discipline himself to think about something in particular.
In mental health professions there is the saying, “You feel what you think.” If we repeatedly think negatively, we tend to feel negative. If we repeatedly think positively, we tend to feel positive. In Alcoholics Anonymous there is the idea of “stinking thinking.” This is a “pattern of negative, irrational, or self-defeating thoughts that can lead to negative emotions and behaviors.” If I repeatedly think about how I’ve been treated unfairly or repeatedly think about the losses I’ve experienced, I will be resentful, angry, and sad. It will eat me up. I will be less likely to make good decisions, take good care of myself, or do my part to have positive relationships. Those of us who are Christians can think about the fact that we are forgiven, belong to Christ, and that He loves us. At the same time that doesn’t make all of our negative situations go away and Christians can struggle with our thoughts too.
In Philippians 4:4-8 Paul writes to Christians about worry, prayer, and our thinking. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.” Conveniently, Paul lists 7 things to think about. Over time, we can discipline ourselves to think about each one on a different day of the week. How will I feel if I think about those positive qualities every week?
Paul writes in 1 Timothy 2:4, “…God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” If you don’t belong to Jesus, know that He loves you so much that He died and came back to life in order to forgive our sins. If we believe this about Him, turn away from the wrong things we do, and commit ourselves to live as He wishes, He will save us and give us the Holy Spirit to guide us. If you want someone to pray with you or to have a Bible, please ask one of the Feed Your Soul team members.
