"For as he thinks within himself, so he is." Proverbs 23:7 (New American Standard Bible).
"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7 (New King James Version).
The Bible is clear in its teaching: A person's thinking determines his or her reality. By implication, if you can change your thinking, you can change your life! We talked about the importance of thinking at a higher level when talking to God. We continue today by reinforcing that your thoughts determine your life. If you want to change your life, you will have to change your thinking.
Most of us end up talking to others about what we think about the most. What we talk about will ultimately shape our actions, attitudes, and outcomes. Please understand that intentional thinking creates intended results.
Consider this for a moment: Your current situation is the result of yesterday's thoughts. Your current thoughts will influence tomorrow's results. If you are currently thinking a bunch of negative or angry thoughts, there is a good chance that it will spill over into negative words, attitudes and results! Where your thoughts lead, you will follow.
It is critical to take responsibility for your thoughts. Nobody else can be assigned to your thinking! You and only you can work on this area of your life. Your thinking cannot be delegated to an associate or family member. If you are negative, it will be hard to pray and ask God for a miracle. If you cannot ask for that miracle, your situation will remain as negative as your thinking. As a result, there you will be ... right where your negative thinking led you!
You may wonder how long and how often you will have to work at elevating your thinking. Personally, I believe you and I will have to work at it as long as we live in this negative world. No one is exempted. Yet, instead of being overwhelmed by the prospect of life-long vigilance regarding your thinking, be at peace. God is present to help you in your quest! Commit to God and lean on Him to help you. Trust Him to carry you through your battles for positive thoughts:
"You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind both its inclination and its character is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You." Isaiah 26:3 (Amplified Bible).
Where is your mind leading you? You can choose!
Action Step:
- If you continue on your current train of thought, where will you end up?
- Make a conscious decision that you will become positive by agreeing with God's opinion of you and promises to you in the Bible.
- How can you adjust your thoughts to make room for God's miraculous intervention in your life?
- Start praying with higher expectation.
- Start living with greater gratitude.
- Start believing that you will receive everything you ask of the Lord!
Review:
1. Prayer Is Simply Talking And Listening To God.
2. Prayer Should Flow From A Contrite Heart.
3. Your Prayers Should Be Confident.
4. Your Prayers Should Be Concise And To The Point.
5. Your Prayers Should Be Consistent And Constant.
6. Pray In Jesus' Name.
7. Pray About Everything!
8. You Do Not Have Because You Don't Ask God.
9. Asking God With The Wrong Motive Doesn't Work.
10. Ask Expecting To Receive From God.
11. Ask God To Bless Your Enemies As You Pray.
12. Ask The Lord To Make You More Loving As You Pray.
13. Make Talking To God A Priority Every Day.
14. Pray According To God's Will.
15. Prayer Frames Help Shape Our Prayers.
16. Ask God To Change The Way You Think.
17. Think At A Higher Level When You Pray.
18. Where The Mind Goes The Person Follows.
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