thoughts

Good morning!

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about our thoughts. I thought about that some more and hopefully I can pour those thoughts onto this page (catch the theme? thoughts!)

The foundation of everything in life is really our thoughts. What plays in the background of our minds influence all aspects of how we live. I’ll give a silly example. Years ago, I discovered foods that don’t agree with me and how I feel after eating them. When I began to avoid those, I would feel better. Sometimes when the family was eating pizza, one of the kids would say, “It’s ok, Mommy, someday in heaven you can have pizza too.” I loved that thought! But, I never felt deprived or like I was missing out. My thoughts centered on how good I would feel NOT to eat the pizza! And I also had fun finding alternatives to eat instead. 

I was able to stay joyful in those moments because of how I thought about the situation. I guess there were alternatives. I could have eaten the pizza and then paid for it for a couple of days so that in the moment, I’d get the short delight of the taste. I could have let myself stew in the pity-party of what I couldn’t eat and how unfair it is that everyone else gets to.

Which scenario is the most highly delightful, though? Long-lasting, Filled with Joy, Not phased by the circumstances.  The one where I think the truth and choose the thoughts that lead to total wellbeing. Because the truth is, yes, for a moment the pizza would taste good. But how long does that “feel-good” moment last? The truth is, I’d rather feel good for the days to come than to have a moment of feel good. The truth is, I’d rather carry joy into all my moments and not let myself get caught in self-pity.

This tangible example applies to every area of life. What thoughts do you have about a difficult situation you are in? Do you find yourself throwing pity-parties, swimming around in your feelings and drowning yourself in temporary solutions? 

That is not what God has for you. He has already overcome everything that overcomes us, or the things that threaten to overcome us. But, first, let’s look at our thoughts! Our thoughts can lead us to life or death. 

Psalm 103:2-5—Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.