Sunday, October 11, 2009
Choosing My Thoughts Wisely
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 (King James Version)
God knows that what I choose to think about and what I choose to speak will shape my day as well as my life. There are times I feel as if I am standing beside two very different pools of water. One is stagnant, muddy, and foul smelling. The other is fresh, clean, and inviting.
Whichever I would choose to drink from or soak in would affect me in profound ways. Too often I have found myself forgetting there are two choices. Negative thoughts appear and before I know it I am engulfed by the muck and mire of my own mind. What starts out as a mere thought becomes something I dwell on, mull over, and meditate on at great length. The longer I center my thoughts on those things the more quickly I sense my spirit shrivel, my attitude plunge, and feelings of loss and hopelessness abound. For too many years, I did not know it does not have to be like that. I did not know I could redirect my thoughts and change the effect they are having on me.
It is not just a matter of becoming a positive thinker. It really comes down to a belief system. What is it I am choosing to believe about myself, other people, and God? In my flesh I am prone to think the worst about all three! I will view myself with contempt, condemnation, and criticism. I will presume to know what others are thinking and will proceed to treat them as if I know the very depths of their heart. God will stand suspect in my mind whereby I will distance myself from who He really is. The enemy loves to feed me lie after lie and unfortunately (too often) I have embraced the lies as if they were the truth.
God is continually letting me know it does not have to be like this. The prescription is to come to Him for the truth. His truth will expose the lies, repel the lies, and replace the lies. It is a matter of looking at life and allowing God to help me to interpret it properly. Things, people, circumstances, events, and situations are not necessarily what they appear. I will know who or what is behind my thoughts by the direction they lead me. If I am led into hopelessness, despair, and turmoil the enemy is at work. If I am led into peace, confidence, and joy my loving heavenly Father is at work. I must chose wisely who I will follow.
Father, already this morning the thoughts are coming. You are wooing me to Yourself where truth, healing, and wholeness are found. Amen.
Thy Word - Maranatha Singers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SLHWFpSlq4&feature=PlayList&p=B0FA3835941BD72D&index=0
Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.