Think About Your Thinking

Think About Your Thinking

Hello everybody, Tim Montoya here. I was sitting here thinking about how important my thoughts are regarding what I do and how I behave. These are trying times and fear is real and anxiety and worry are real. Tough times expose our inner fears like nothing else. I finally found a store with eggs the other morning after not finding any at couple of other supermarkets. There was a posted sign that stated “no more than 3 cartons per customer and no splitting between each other.” There was a man in front of me and I heard him tell his young son to take some money and purchase 3 cartons and he would purchase another 3 cartons. His son did not understand what he wanted so he pulled him aside to explain what he wanted to him to do. We looked at each other and I could see fear and anxiety in his eyes. I get it; eggs were scarce that day and anxiety is normal when you think there will not be any more eggs for a long time, maybe never.

  • Our Lord Jesus Christ  said that fear, anxiety, worry and negative thoughts come from within in Matthew 15:18:
  • Negative thoughts come from within you and me. But who chooses negative and harmful thought intentionally? Negative thoughts are like unexpected guests that just show up and want to take over your home. We can invite them in and give them power or we can acknowledge them, and deal with them by taking them captive and making them obey our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Just because I have a negative thought does not mean I have to believe it and obey it. Fear without faith becomes a legion of negative thoughts that can control a person’s emotions and behaviors for the worse.

Satan holds the high ground in the battle for our minds/thoughts. Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ wrote, “Although we live in the world, we don’t fight our battles with human methods. Our weapons that we fight with aren’t human, but instead they are powered by God for the destruction of fortresses. They destroy arguments, and every defense that is raised up to oppose the knowledge of God. They capture every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

One way to take every thought captive is to question it using the Socratic Method.

“Is my thought based on facts or feelings”

“How would my best friend see this situation?”

“How likely is it that my fear will come true?”

“What is most likely to happen?”

If my fearful anxious thought comes true, will it still matter in a week? A month? In 6 months? In 1 year? 

  • A physical virus is very dangerous and a thought virus is also very dangerous for our soul. Fearful, negative thoughts are incredibly contagious.
  • A Faithful Scriptural response of thankfulness is also dangerous to the enemy of our souls and is very contagious in healing way.

“This to shall pass” is a good phrase that I pray on a regular basis when I am doing battle with negative thoughts.

Ask yourself, “What is my most anxious thought right now? Write it down and bring to the Lord.

God says, Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1Peter 5:7

It always comes down to connecting to Him in thoughtful and thankful prayers.

  • Take some time out. Breathe 1 to 3 deep cleansing breaths.
  • Practice some silence for 1 minute.
  • Pray the following Psalm

“When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.” Psalm 94:19

  • Make a list and repeat until you feel His shalom.
  • Pray thanksgiving for all His Consolations to you.
  •  

Remember our Father in Heaven promises you;

“So do not be afraid. I am with you. Do not be terrified. I will make you strong and help you. I will hold you safe in My hands. I always do what is right.” Isaiah 41:10

May the Lord bless you, May the Lord protect you, may He shine His face upon you and be gracious with you.

May the Lord smile on you and give you Peace.