Navigating Thoughts

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Philippians 4:8-9 "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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

2 Corinthians 10:5b "We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

Think

In the vast ocean of our minds, our thoughts are like skilled anglers, casting lines into the depths, each idea a potential catch. How we think becomes the captain steering the ship of our world. Consider this: the average person, amidst the rolling waves of contemplation, has about 70,000 thoughts per day – an astonishing 48 thoughts per minute. However, lurking beneath the surface lies a disturbing truth – approximately 95 percent of today's thoughts are replicas of yesterday's thoughts, and 80 percent of these habitual thoughts are tainted with negativity. Imagine our mental seascape, where tens of thousands of negative thoughts circulate like a storm, threatening to capsize the vessel of our outlook and poison the waters of our attitude. It's clear – we need a change of course. Thoughts, like the currents beneath the surface, drive our feelings, and these emotions navigate the course of our actions.

If we let our minds linger on thoughts of inadequacy, we risk feeling adrift, lacking confidence in our true worth. Dwelling on past mistakes rather than embracing God's grace and forgiveness is like allowing a tangled fishing line to oppose our journey – we risk feeling unloved and unforgivable, disconnected from the love and acceptance he graciously offers. Our thoughts wield the power to shape who we become, steering our ship toward turbulent waters or tranquil shores.

Scripture, as our compass, tells us to seize control of our thoughts and embark on a mindful fishing expedition. Like seasoned anglers carefully selecting the right bait, we cast away negative thoughts and anchor ourselves in the truth. In this voyage of our soul, let's navigate the waters with intentionality, reeling in thoughts that threaten our peace and replacing them with the facts that anchor us in God's love and truth.

Apply

Reel your thoughts in and direct them toward God's truth. Say this three times a day: I have the mind of Christ. I have the righteousness of Christ. I'm accepted in Christ. I'm forgiven in Christ. I'm gifted in Christ. I'm strengthened in Christ.

Pray

God, we acknowledge the impact of our thoughts on our lives and seek your guidance. Equip us with the strength found in your Word. As we navigate the vast sea of our thoughts, let the verses from Philippians 4:8 be our guiding rod. We surrender negative and destructive thoughts to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.