Proverbs 4:23 says, “Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.”
Your thoughts run your life! Wow! That means your attitudes about practically everything, your philosophies and ideologies are all under your own personal management. You control how you think about them, and the good news is that you can change your mind whenever you choose. You can have thoughts you’re somewhat embarrassed to admit even pop into your mind, and simply dismiss them. You can set your heart on higher thoughts of kindness, love, and gratitude. How?
One way you might help your thoughts is simply by repeating the prayer of David in Psalm 51: Create in me a pure heart, God, and make my spirit right again.
You have probably already discovered that your thoughts can run amok and leave you ragged. You can get stuck on an idea, imagine the worst, and eventually react in a way that doesn’t help the situation at all. You can be totally wrong, but never give yourself a chance to look again, or look deeper to discover the truth. You can believe your own thoughts so much; you don’t even check them against reality. TV shows are full of this kind of thinking. It’s scary! It’s troubling! We need help to think more clearly.
Another translation of this Proverb says, “Guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.” Guarding your heart isn’t always easy and can even feel beyond your control. When you struggle with how to do that, you can talk about it with friends, or with counselors, or you can take it to God. Ask Him to protect your heart and mind, so you can hold fast to those things that are good.
Philippians 4:8 offers some guidance. It says, “Think about what is good and trustworthy. honorable, and pure.” When you focus on good things, giving God thanks and praise for all that is going right in your life, you find your thoughts are lighter, brighter and healthier for your soul. What you think about really matters. You don’t want to have any “stinkin thinkin” as some have said. Today, pay attention to what crosses your mind and get rid of anything that weighs you down. The more aligned your thoughts are with God’s purpose for you, the better every idea will be that you have today!
After all, your thoughts run your life!