Have you noticed that thoughts dictate our responses and our responses often have a trickle down effect on future thoughts?
I tend to be a cyclical thinker... by this I mean I am incredibly positive for days on end. Whenever the circumstances of my health or things around me begin to waiver, I ultimately let my thinking get tainted by those changes. My response to my surroundings take on a negative tone with others and well... I begin allowing Satan a foothold requiring forgiveness for hurt I’ve caused to others through my negativity and so the cycle continues...
How then do we break the cycle? According to scripture, we are called to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5
Ok, so now that I have taken charge of these destructive thoughts. My mind is blank, I need to fill it up somehow.
The apostle Paul encourages us to replace the negativity with God’s truth. Philippians 4:8, ESV: "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."
Changing our thought patterns takes practice. This doesn’t mean I will never have another bad day or come face to face with the hard realities of life. In fact, combating the lies of the enemy with the truths of Christ will ultimately grow my relationship with him and with others.
I encourage you to join me today as I practice taking every thought captive and making it obedient to Christ. So that our responses to one another would be filled with His Love!