Mind Minding Your Mind: You Are What You Think

Misery loves company. You are what you think. Mind your mind. Your thoughts become your actions. What is the common denominator in all these adages? Our thoughts.

The aphorism, ‘’As a man thinketh, so is he,’’ exhaustively reaches every ballgame of a person’s life. We are classically what we think. As our thoughts are, so are our lives.

I was recently reflecting on a past event in my life. I had an opportunity to meet key connections in an area I was pursuing. I became negative and doubted my capability days to the event- somehow, the dream seemed too large.

On the day of the event, my Afro which normally obeys my sit nicely commandments adamantly refused to cooperate. My dress that usually flows freely got the dreaded static cling and would stick on my body like white on snow making me flounder as I tried to remember my usual sure-footed confident walk.

My skin felt a little dry than usual. My handbag kept forcefully tilting to my front and felt heavier than usual. Where was my aloe lip balm? I noticed my favorite shoes were now slipping off! I couldn’t explain it. What a disaster!

Interesting how my predominant thoughts influenced my behavior and attitude and consequently my actions. The only thing that saved me that day was a quick prayer as I pleaded with God to make the insecurities recede from view.

The Bible teaches deeply about managing thoughts- which is crucial and essential if we’re to thrive in life.

...and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5b

Let’s look at various types of thoughts:

• Monkey See, Monkey Do Thoughts: These circumstantial thoughts are inevitable. They reflect our environment and our engagements. A chicken farmer is kuku about chicken. A naturalista is addicted to the Afro and its diversity.
• Munch that Fruit Eve- Smash it. Be Great: Suggested thoughts is a tool the enemy and his agents use to attack believers. Just like Eve, the thoughts are strong, enticing and sometimes evil.
• Self-Destructive Thoughts: Life is about making choices. It’s your choice.
• Godly Mastered Thoughts are deliberate. It takes practice, prayer and laser focus to achieve positive thoughts that align you to your destiny without faltering.

The question then becomes, how can I control my thoughts? Glad you’re thinking about it.

Let’s corral and subdue those mangled thoughts that prance through our minds causing depredation through the following methods:

1. Identify Your Thoughts: Identify that internal dialogue that sneaks in and churns below our conscious level. Write down those galloping thoughts if needs be.

The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 1 Corinthians 4:4

2. Weigh Your Thoughts: Evaluate and compare the Bible with your thoughts. Are they accurate or misinterpreting God’s point of view? Any sins discovered? Attitudes and habits to change? Relationships to restore?

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

3. Demolish and Overcome That Fear: Fear can completely immobilize you by false-thinking and feelings. Everything we want is on the other side of our fears. It is the very reason that Biblical God-breathed promises are preceded with the admonishment of Fear not.

4. Dispute the Wrong Thoughts: Memorize Bible verses to hammer back on the disputed distorted thinking. For example, gather Bible verses for positive thinking when you think of depression, thriving and success when you think of lack, happiness and forgiveness when grudge thoughts attack you. Recite them- it works. This is my mantra.

If God is for us, who is against us…Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. Romans 8:31, 33.

5. Substitute New Thoughts: Recite the Bible verses that counteract the craziness that has been eating your mind. For example, when I am tempted to give up on my Godly destiny, I keep reminding myself,

Phillipians 4:13: I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 
Phillipians 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

6. Pray in the new thoughts: Pray fervently and express your need for help. Ask God for strength, wisdom, guidance, and better understanding.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

7. Work Out the New Thoughts: Thoughts will just stay thoughts unless you invest hard work to translate them into action. Set and implement those goals and action plans.

8. Seek Help When Your Thoughts Become Venomous: Giants like a medical diagnosis or trauma need the best course of action- counseling or medical attention. Many local churches and organizations offer free counseling services and can refer out. Never walk alone!

The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things. 
Philippians 4:9

9. Growth By the New Thoughts: By God’s grace, you grow and become an example, an encouragement and influence others for good– and greater glory to God.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Phillipians 4:8 

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Phillipians 4:13

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