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. (Philippians 4:8)Our minds never stop working... but what are they working on?
While we may think we are in constant control of our thoughts, there is more going on subconsciously than we realize. Whether it be humming a song stuck in our heads, getting up to get a snack during a commercial because a food ad made you hungry, or getting sleepy when you hear it raining outside. These are simple examples of how our subconscious leads us to do and act on what our minds are hearing, even if all else seems quiet and normal.
How many times have you gotten to work still fuming about the way some guy you don't even know cut you off in traffic? Or perhaps you got into it with one of your children and caught yourself snapping at your spouse for no reason. Although you continued on with your day, your mind was still churning thoughts on morning traffic or a dispute with your kids. You have allowed that one moment to consume your day. You weren't controlling your thoughts, you were just reacting to them.
Knowing this, we have to learn to be aware of our thoughts, our minds can be our worst enemy otherwise.
If you were to go swimming out in the ocean, you're controlling your position against the current with your arm and leg movements. When you wear out, you may allow yourself to float. If you get too relaxed floating, you may look up and realized how far the current has taken you and how far away you've floated from the shore. Just because you stopped swimming, doesn't mean the current stopped... it's still moving you while you've been at rest.
Our spiritual walk isn't any different. There's no such thing as a stationary Christian. If you're not working to move toward Christ, you're floating away from Him. The currents in life will sweep you away if your not constantly aware of your thoughts and surroundings. It must be a constant process, consciously and subconsciously. We have to train ourselves to be continuously aware of and in control of our thoughts.
In Philippians chapter 4, Paul reminds us that the "whatsoevers" our minds dwell on should be true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good nature. One's natural way of thinking would be to focus on the negative in a situation... how much we despise our job, a family feud that may have surfaced, the daunting housework before us, the traffic we're sitting in, the bills stacking up on our desk, and so on. Are we just allowing ourselves to get swept up in the current of things, forcing ourselves through the day so we can call it over and hope to start fresh the next day... only to find ourselves further from the shore and stuck in the same current?
We have to choose how we react and respond to things going on around us. We can dwell on our inabilities, challenges, and life drama... or we can focus on our strengths, opportunities, and God's provision in our lives. This goes the same for how we respond to people. Are we allowing ourselves to focus so hard on their weaknesses and mistakes, or are we uplifting them in their accomplishments and strengths?
Spend a day or two noting down your thoughts. Summarize the amount of time spent thinking about the challenges in your life verses the opportunities. How about the amount of time dissecting the mistakes of others in your life verses the accomplishments and good things. My estimate is that the negative will far outweigh the positive. This is natural thought!
With natural thought we push people away from us, form a critical spirit towards others, tie God's hands in doing a work through us, and lead a very poor example for the body of Christ. It's a thought process that lacks the love of the Lord that the Holy Spirit yearns to develop within us! This natural thought allows the current to pull us away from Christ.
However, when we take control over our thoughts and allow ourselves to be led by the spirit, we receive a peace over conflicting situations, we develop a teachable spirit for the Lord to guide, we build wisdom for circumstances, and an example of Christ's love is consistently visible in us. Controlled thoughts keep us focused on the Lord, allowing us draw closer to Him.
It's okay to be aware of weaknesses... but only so we know what areas to strengthen. Life is full of surprises, drama, and unexpected situations, but when we keep our thoughts in check, we have the say on whether or not the automatic nature of negativity will be allowed to consume our minds.
What are the whatsoevers you're concentrating on? Are you at peace over a scenario, or churning a bad conversation in your head over and over? When you're on a break are you laughing at a dumb joke you were told earlier, or refreshing your mind with a scripture that will strengthen you for the remainder of the day? Are you building others up in your conversations, or tearing them down with reminders of their mistakes? Is a lack of sleep the night before giving you an excuse to be snappy and rude, or are you pushing through with a smile despite the weariness so the best can still be made of your day?
We all need improvements in our thinking... so make the whatsoevers that your mind dwells on bring glory to God and positivity to your day, regardless of your surrounding circumstances! Remember, garbage in, creates garbage out... but goodness and Godliness in, reveals the same in return!
