Thoughts on Our Thinking

While texting with a client recently, we "talked" about how our thoughts effect our actions. She had been struggling with negative thoughts about herself. Believing that she was stupid, ugly and without hope had led her down some unhealthy paths. She had acted on those false beliefs and thus,  negatively impacted her most important relationships.

Philippians 4:8 speaks to what we should think on. "Finally, brother, 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." (NIV)

I wonder how we would be impacted if we actually put those commands into practice. How would it effect our relationships if instead of thinking false things, we thought true things? How would our talk be changed if we thought on noble things instead of crass things? How would we treat others if we thought of right things instead of wrong things? Pure things instead of impure things? Lovely things insted of ugly things? Admirable things instead of dishonorable things? Excellent and praiseworthy things instead of poor and unworthy things?

Changing your negative thoughts to "God-thoughts" is a huge first step to changing bad habits and unhealthy relationship patterns. What will you decide to think on today?

Shannon Shertzer, MS, NCC