Lauren Marquez
If you are like me, I have a mind that works in overdrive most of the time. A good amount of my thoughts are curious about how things work, especially from a scientific standpoint. You’re going to read a few numbers here, but I promise to not overwhelm you…
It is said that the human brain, on average, has 60,000 thoughts per day. Pause for a moment…how amazing is our God that He created us to be able to generate 60,000 thoughts! Here is what is even more crazy; 45,000 of those thoughts are negative and 57,000 of them are repetitive!
We can surmise that as humans, 95% of our thoughts are repetitive, negative thoughts that are running on a live feed all day. No wonder we are feeling overwhelmed! While a great, positive nugget may pop up from time to time, we vastly underestimate the immense amount of negative thoughts circulating all day long.
Let’s take a look at who we have helping us to feed those thoughts. We all have people and situations in our lives that pour either positive or negative thoughts into our days. Most notably, Satan feeds us negative thoughts, or a negative thought disguised like a positive one. 1 Peter 5: 8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Satan is not always obvious with his attacks on us Christians.
As a realist, I consider all the possible outcomes of a situation before making a final decision. While I may consider this to be conscientious thinking, I’m also providing Satan with the ammo to potentially turn my realistic thoughts for his purpose.
Or maybe you are in a difficult situation where there seems to be no way out, no solution, or no breakthrough. In such times, Satan can influence you to think negatively about the situation, making those negative thoughts feel like the only true and real solutions.
Consider those negative thoughts. Most likely, you are repeating them over and over again.
Easier said than done, I know. Giving in to the negativity isn’t just weakness, it’s also disobedience - the opposite of what God has called us to do. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
The question is, how can we change the way we think? How can we reframe our thoughts to reflect on the goodness in and around us? We have to let God intervene into our innermost thoughts, as in 2 Corinthians 10: 5, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”
This means the negative, i.e., not loving, not joyful, intrusive, sinful, depressive, selfish thoughts are literally combating against the knowledge of God. How crazy are we to think that these negative thoughts have a chance against what God has planned for us? We need to get out of our own way and allow God free reign.
Additionally, while God certainly pricks our hearts to reveal our inner motivations or to guide us to His path, God also has provided us the ability to block out the negativity. In the Bible, 2 Timothy 1: 7 says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
So not only are we to change the thoughts we are already thinking, but we have to start guarding the new incoming negative thoughts.
This is where we get on the offensive. Ephesians 6: 10-13 talks about how we are supposed to put on the armor of God and be ready for Satan’s attacks, the world, and the attacks from our own sinful flesh!
Ephesians 6: 10-13 says, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”
God can and will give you the strength to change your perspective on any situation that comes your way. Talk to Him, and ask Him! He wants to hear from you!
I am so encouraged when I read Proverbs 16: 3, “Commit thy works unto the LORD, And thy thoughts shall be established.”
Lord, establish our thoughts for Your good and for your purpose. Let us find protection and peace knowing that Your unyielding voice will remain with us always.
Song Recommendation: “Battle Belongs” by Phil Wickham
Comments