Controlling Your Mind

Have you ever noticed how completely your mind can control you if you let it?

Here's the perfect example:I've had several people to interview for the paper this week. I was so tired and so run-down from the pace I've been trying to keep that I let my mind get away from me. My thoughts went places they didn't need to go - they wouldn't want to talk to me, they'd make me feel like I was bothering them, I wouldn't be able to get a hold of them at all. Then everyone would be upset, I wouldn't get anything done and everybody involved would be disappointed.

Obviously, I got myself all worked up and anxious over something that hadn't even happened yet.

And it never did.

I called all those people, had lovely interviews and was able to put all the words in the right places and meet all my deadlines.

But then, even after all those positive moments, my mind wandered away again. Did you put the right address in that article, are you sure you spelled that name correctly, was that really how they said that?

There's not much in this world that's worse than second guessing yourself. And all because you don't think you can control your mind.

Well, God's Word says differently.

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. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:8-9

We're perfectly capable of bringing our thoughts into submission, we just don't always use our self control and do it. And that's a personal problem.

Instead of thinking the worst, think on what is true.
Instead of running thoughts over and over again, think on what is honest.
Instead of allowing your mind to go wherever it wants, think on what is just.
Instead of filling your thoughts with meaningless nothings, think on what is pure.
Instead of deciding to just give up, think on what is of good report.

Find those thoughts that are virtuous, giving praise to God, and roll those around in your mind for a while. Those are the thoughts that should fill your brain and spill over into the way you live. This is where the peace of God comes from - thoughts that bring glory and honor to Him.

What have you been thinking about lately?

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