Weary in Thinking

"To think is an effort; to think rightly is a great effort, and to think as a Christian ought to think is the greatest effort of a human soul."

Oswald Chambers 1874-1917

 

I love this snap! It just makes me smile. I passed this lightpost every day on the way to work. On this beautiful morning it was in full bloom with the light on. One of those perfect snaps! 

 

Thinking. It's so easy to turn my thoughts to negative things. Sad things. Wrong things. So I enjoyed reading these words from Sarah Young in her devotion book Jesus Calling:

 

 “Trust Me in all your thoughts. I know that some thoughts are unconscious or semiconscious, and I do not hold you responsible for those. But you can direct conscious thoughts much more than you may realize. Practice thinking in certain ways—trusting Me, thanking Me—and those thoughts become more natural. Reject negative or sinful thoughts as soon as you become aware of them. Don’t try to hide them from Me; confess them and leave them with Me. Go on your way lightheartedly. This method of controlling your thoughts will keep your mind on My Presence and your feet on the path of Peace.  

 

A lone flower refreshes itself next to the river at my cousin's home.

 

Yes, I will have to practice keeping positive thoughts in my head. Controlling my thoughts. I have so much to gain by doing this. It has the ability to change my entire outlook during a day. 

 

As this Scripture shows, Jesus knows:  "Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, 'Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?'" Luke 5:22

I love watching deer slowly walk away. There's just something so soothing about it.

In my prayers each morning I make this request to God: "Lord, I pray for stability in my emotions and thinking as I go through this day." I want to have positive thoughts and positive reactions. He has answered. My thoughts and emotions are more stable and able to accept day-to-day happenings.

 

And we're all familiar with Paul's in Philippians 4:8:  "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

 

"Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking." 2 Peter 3:1

 

Lots of bad and ugly things are all around us, but we don't have to succumb to them. If our faith is in Christ we have the assurance that He is in control and will see us through.

 

A garden I enjoyed walking through at my friend, Diana's home.
 

The psalmist wrote: "How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart." Psalm 13:2  We can direct our thoughts. We need to make it a priority to be in control of our thoughts each day so we can end our day knowing because of Christ our thoughts are about good things. When you realize you're thinking wrong thoughts, stop and correct them.

Young also said: "Ask My Spirit to quiet your mind so that you can think My thoughts. This ability is an awesome benefit of being My child, patterned after My own image. Do not be deafened by the noise of the world or that of your own thinking. Instead, be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Sit quietly in My Presence, letting My thoughts reprogram your thinking." Romans 12:2 

My friend, Kathy, created a lovely garden that I enjoyed.
 

 Don't be weary in thinking. Let's take control and be positive in our thoughts. I know I will be glad I did!

"The universe is one of God's thoughts." 

Johann Friedrich von Schiller 1759-1805