Did you know we have between 60-80 thousand thoughts a day. Averaging 3000 an hour! That is 50 thoughts EVERY SINGLE MINUTE. Something every second. As I processed this, the reality is that, in our waking hours our minds are almost always processing a thought. Knowing this, it is very understandable why the Bible speaks so often of our thoughts. Cautioning us to be mindful of them. Commanding us to take them captive to transform from the renewing of our minds. How we are to trust in The Lord and not our own understanding. His teachings in the Bible are many …. and when something is mentioned so many times in the Bible we should stand at attention. Be most concerned.

My thoughts were a fierce battle for me to overcome. My mind would default to negative. My thoughts would process the worst possible outcome in a nano second. My natural tendency was to trust no one and nothing. And this was horrible place to reside. For me and for those around me. The result, over time, was spilling out onto those who I love the most. Something had to change.

Just the recognition that I mostly thought negative thoughts wasn’t enough. Just apologizing for my words wasn’t enough. I desired true change. I desired to see the good. I desired to be the good. I desired to be able to hear others and for my mind to hear the good of what God would say to them. I desired for my thoughts to align with what God said, not my mind. I desired to be transformed by the renewing of my mind. Romans 12:2 says Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. I wanted that! No more of the junk in my trunk! I wanted good and pleasing thoughts – good and pleasing to The Lord.

Looking back, I can see why I stayed in that place so long…….I was attempting at adjusting my mind myself. Better behavior. Keeping my words from coming out. Don’t get me wrong, self control is important, but what flows in your heart is important. That, my friends, is not how we are designed. In order to have God pleasing thoughts, a restored heart, we have to have help from God. From His word.

So what did I do? I read the Bible. I examined myself against many scriptures. I owned the fact that every thought is either of God or not. Every word I say is either of God or not. Every action is either of God or not. I asked The Lord “what do you need me to know about me?”. Verse. After verse. After verse. I stopped assuming that I knew whether or not I was “_____” because truth is, I only need to know what God says I am, not what I think. And when what I think of myself or what others think of me don’t align with what Gods says I am – I go with God. I say it out loud! I asked God to show me each time my thoughts were not what He would desire. I asked Him to teach me each time I spoke. I confessed through prayer that my thoughts were not encouraging to others. I asked God to show me when I offended Him. I asked God to help me heal my heart. I asked to reveal anything to me He needed me to know. I asked God to grow me into His plans for me. To help me be a human that could help someone else find Him.

He is so faithful!

Many of you know and have read that I keep journals of all the questions I have asked God and all of His responses. I highly encourage this. It will deepen your time with Him and help you through hard times. If you don’t hear clearly from Him at first, keep praying and asking…..because also in His word is “when we seek The Lord with our whole hearts, we WILL find Him.”.

Don’t give up… too much rides on the truth of having a relationship with Jesus or not.

Father I pray that you help us read your word and examine ourselves. Help us ask you questions. Respond to us God. Teach us what you would have us to know so we can transform into the plans you have for us. I ask this believing in the name of Jesus – whom we would be nothing without. Amen