Using Your Tools

Dear Friend,

Do you struggle with doing things you know you shouldn't do? Do you ever just feel like throwing up your hands and giving up? Where do you start?

When we take a close look at our actions, we find that they start with our thoughts. Some might say that no, they just do things without thinking, but research has shown that when we respond automatically, it's because our brains have been programmed for the automatic response before hand by either thinking it through or experiencing it at a prior time so the brain is now programmed. So let's talk about thoughts.

Jesus said that from the overflow of the heart we speak. This means that as our thoughts form, they overflow into the words we speak. So we need to get control of the thoughts, and then the rest will be a lot easer! As one person puts it: "What gets our thoughts gets us", meaning that what I think about becomes my words and actions.

Let's get control of our thoughts, shall we? It's actually possible, but it takes time. You see, controlling the thoughts is like controlling a young puppy. To start out with it takes a lot of time and effort, but soon it pays off and it only takes a little effort, because patterns have been developed. And it's the same with our thoughts. At first it will be very hard to control them, and you'll have to practically be constantly pulling them back into line, but soon they will be "trained" and they will stay where they should be, with only a little maintenance.

So here's the plan of action. If you follow these steps each day, you will see a big difference in about a month, because it takes about a month to break old habits and start new ones. And the way we think has a lot to do with habits that we have formed over the years.

1. Pray each morning, and ask God to make you aware of thoughts that are not pleasing to Him. Claim this promise: "When you rise in the morning, do you feel your helplessness, and your need of strength from God? And do you humbly, heartily make known your wants to your heavenly Father? If so, angels mark your prayers, and if these prayers have not gone forth out of feigned lips, when you are in danger of unconsciously doing wrong, and exerting an influence which will lead others to do wrong, your guardian angel will be by your side, prompting you to a better course, choosing your words for you, and influencing your actions." --Messages to Young People, page 90.
2. Read verses every morning about thoughts. Here are some great verses about thoughts: Genesis 6:5; 1 Chronicles 28:9; Psalms 10:4; 51:10-12; 94:11; 139:1-4, 23-24; Proverbs 15:26; Isaiah 55:7, 8; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 4:8; Hebrews 4:12. As Hebrews says, "For the word of God is living and active... it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." As you read scripture, it will make you aware of thoughts that you weren't even aware were wrong!
3. Memorize a verse each day. This will be key for you in order to blast a thought later in the day.
4. As the day progresses and you become aware of a thought that is not right, immediately send up a silent prayer to God for help, and then think of that verse you memorized. Remember, verses you memorize are like tools, and if you don't use a tool soon you forget it or discard it. And it's the same with memorization. People try to memorize, but they forget to use the tool! So now, during the day, use the verse to blast the bad thought. For example, let's say I become aware of an angry or lustful thought, and I immediately pray and then actively think in my little mind: "The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him," that thought is gone! And if it's not, then I just keep thinking of this verse until it is gone!

Remember, it takes time, but it is possible! Whether the thoughts are depressing, angry, jealous, vindictive, resentful, lustful, hateful, discouraged, or just running rampant so you can't even fall asleep, there is help! And God has given it to us in prayer and Scripture.

In closing, here is a promise for you:

The only security for any soul is right thinking. As a man "thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). The power of self-restraint strengthens by exercise. That which at first seems difficult, by constant repetition grows easy, until right thoughts and actions become habitual. --Ministry of Healing, page 491.

Let's start today on spring cleaning for our minds!

Mark

Using Your Tools