Our thoughts are the foundation of our behavior
"… be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind."
-- Ephesians 4:23 (AMP)
What are you thinking about today?
Did you know an action starts with a thought?
For good or evil, our thoughts are the foundation for the behavior we display.
God gave us free will and the ability to choose our own thoughts.
Many factors influence our thinking. It is affected by things that have been spoken to us. Positive or negative words by parents, peers and significant others can change our point of view. Our environment can affect the way we see or perceive something. What we watch on TV and listen to also has an effect on our minds. Fears and phobias can be formed from opening the doors of our minds through watching horror movies and telling scary stories. Dwelling too much on our problems can start us on a downward spiral and oppress us.
God is willing to strengthen us and help us direct our thoughts and interject our minds with Spirit-led ideas. But we have a spiritual enemy, the devil who will do his best to lead our thoughts astray into fear and negativity. When we pray not to be led into temptation, we need to remember temptations first start in our minds. We need God's power which is supernatural help to change them.
Jesus warned our thoughts affect our actions. That's why he illustrated that adultery first starts in the mind.
"But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:27 NKJV).
He was saying a man's thoughts quickly turn into actions.
Many a marriage has been restored when a spouse first thought about how to set restoration in motion. Children have grown up confident risk takers when their parents have spoken encouraging words their way. Many good inventions started first with thoughts of good intentions.
I've heard it said our brain is like a muscle, and we should exercise it with good thoughts.
Starting today, notice areas where redirecting your thoughts might start a positive reaction of change in motion for your life.
• Annettee Budzban's new book "Spend a Moment with God" can be ordered through bookstores or online bookstores, or by calling the toll free number (877) 289-2665.