What are the foundational influences for the way we think? Understanding the grid behind our thoughts creates a groundwork for change. I have been thinking a lot lately about my thoughts — especially my wandering, rambling, worrisome thoughts.
Travelling to another city for a meeting, I allowed myself extra time to complete the journey. Arriving early, I stopped the car next to a park to relax a few minutes. A family of perhaps fifteen or twenty rabbits gathered for social interaction. A few rabbits rested, snacking on the lush grass. Others lept and bounced, chasing each other in circles. They would only briefly poise themselves on their hunches before resuming their energetic engagement.
My thoughts often bear more than a little similarity to those rabbits. They spin in circles and leap frantically from one topic to another. Far too busy, worry-filled, and task oriented, my thoughts scurry hither and yon, rarely finding rest.
How about you?
We may not be able to stop every thought from entering our minds, but we do possess the ability to control which thoughts stay there. Those in alignment with God’s Word will protect our hearts, minds, and souls. Anything in contradiction to His nature will cost us far more than we can afford.
Foolish Thoughts
God recently reminded me how foolish thoughts ultimately lead to foolish actions. Philistine forces had surrounded King Saul and his ill-equipped army. In fear, his men began to scatter. Listen to Saul’s downward progression.
“What have you done?” asked Samuel. Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling … I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me … and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” “You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.”
1 Samuel 13:11-13
I saw … I thought … then I felt … finally, a foolish thing!
The same progression sometimes repeats in us. When we shift our gaze from God to “men”, or to whatever or whoever we think might help us, we begin the same downward spiral toward foolish things. Fear filled Saul’s mind. Fear-filled thoughts penetrated his heart. Fear led him to do “foolish” things. Interesting enough, the “foolish thing” appeared justifiable, righteous, and even God-honoring.
Saul wore an earthly crown for many more years, but he lost God’s favor and anointing to be king.
God invites us to more — to trust Him.
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
Isaiah 26:3
Mind and Heart
Modern science proves how God designed our minds and hearts to work together. The heart actually sends more signals to the brain than brain sends to the heart. This linking of mind and heart affects all our perceptions, feelings, and cognitive processes.
- “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Psalm 139:23-24
- “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30
- “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6
- “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
- “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2
What wonderful encouragement in Scripture to help us navigate the out-of-control rabbits of our thinking.
The Way We Think
Honestly, when pressures increase and the future appears uncertain, I need more than a little help from the Holy Spirit in this area. My mind instantly formulates any number of scenarios of what could or might happen. This past year of stressful overload revealed that a more proactive stance proves helpful to maintain a purity of my heart and mind.
“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.”
Philippians 4:8
This Scripture once occupied the wall beside my bed. It reminded me daily that the direction of my thoughts matter.
Whatever is true — not half-true, not almost true, or kind of true, but completely and absolutely true. When every thought runs through the filter of truth — truth based on God’s Word and His character — the rest of Philippians 4:8 becomes much easier.
The Amplified Bible reads,
“Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].
Again, we see the mind-heart connection. “Think continually on these things.” In other words, gather all those rogue rabbits together — not just once or twice, but again and again! Center those thoughts not just on truth but honorable, just, and holding-to-moral-integrity thoughts which contain purity, beauty, excellence, and respect.
Easy to say! Not always easy to do, right?
Wisdom
Although the struggle to control our thoughts cannot be understated, the reward far exceeds the effort we exert.
Saul’s open gate to his mind allowed appearances and circumstances to influence him and ultimately dictate his thoughts, emotions, and actions. The opposite also holds true. By guarding our hearts and minds, the resulting positive effects become just as apparent.
Foolishness doesn’t need to be the end of anyone’s story. As we guard our minds by consciously evaluating the things we expose ourselves to, the way we think can and will be permeated with wisdom, intelligence, and prudence. Rather than being tossed around by every random thought, we may experience peace and restfulness in Christ. We will also gain a greater discernment to which thoughts come from God and which spring from either fearful hearts or misplaced passions.
I certainly haven’t completely triumphed in this battle for my mind. However, I do see the evidence and reward of being aware of and evicting both destructive influences and the thoughts they evoke. Over time, my perceptions, feelings, and cognitive processes have begun to align increasingly with God’s heart and ways. Besides meditating on the Bible, nature and creativity have always been a healing and resting place for my mind to be restored and refreshed.
Having a mind increasingly directed by God, now that’s a win!
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So true, Maryann! Good words to start my morning. Thank you.
wow as of late to my rabbits in my mind, opportunity to spend quite time in His Holy Spirit inspired word thinking 🤔 on things above and not on this earth. God Bless You
Thank you, Maryann, for reminding us of the many Bible verses that encourage and direct us to keep our minds and hearts on the Lord. I’m sure our omniscient God realized way back then that many of us, especially during this fast-paced era, would have difficulty keeping our focus on Him. I find myself thinking of one thing, doing another, and then forgetting either of these “starts” and heading in a completely different direction. You’d think I had ADHD or that I was following Alice as she ventured down the rabbit hole. Dear Lord, I pray, help us keep our minds on you and your Word,, so that we may be at peace and grow in wisdom and understanding. Amen