In Psalm 1:1-3 I read, “Happy are those who . . . find joy in obeying the Law of the LORD, and they study it day and night. They are like trees that grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time, and whose leaves do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do.” (GNT)
If I want to change my life, start by changing the way I think.
Changing my thoughts is the key to a fresh start in any area, whether it be a hobby, a career, a relationship, marriage, or parenting. Ephesians 4:23 says, “Be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude]” (AMP).
What is a renewed mind? It means I have fresh thoughts and fresh attitudes. It means I take my wrong attitudes and thoughts and surrender them, letting “God transform me inwardly by a complete change of my mind. Then I will be able to know the will of God, what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect” (Romans 12:2 GNT).
I renew my mind by doing two things:
First, listen to God’s Word more than the world. The Bible says, “Happy are those who . . . find joy in obeying the Law of the LORD, and they study it day and night. They are like trees that grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time, and whose leaves do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do” (Psalm 1:1-3 GNT). If I want those characteristics to be true of my life, then meditate on God’s Word every day.
Second, think about what I think about. Instead of automatically accepting every thought I have, challenge them. When I have a thought, ask questions like: Do I want to think about this? Is this really true? Is this helpful? How does it make me feel and do I want to feel that way?
The Bible tells us to “take every thought captive and make it obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5 GNT).
All my feelings are caused by thoughts. If I don’t like the way I feel, then I need to change the way I think. Simply take the thought causing bad feelings and replace it with a different thought.
The Bible says, “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts” (Proverbs 4:23 GNT).
Instead of playing old tapes over and over again in my mind, confront those thoughts. What I think about is my choice, and I don’t have to believe every thought I have. When I confront a thought that I know isn’t true, I can choose to change what I’m thinking! I can replace it with God’s truth.
The only way to know the truth is to get in God’s Word. The more time I choose to spend in God’s Word, the more his truth will help me change my thoughts.
I need to start changing my thinking today. It will give me a fresh start, and eventually it will change my life!
In summary, If I want to change my life, I need to start by changing the way I think. Changing my thoughts is the key to a fresh start in any area. I need to take my wrong attitudes and thoughts and surrender them, let God transform me inwardly by a complete change of my mind. Then I will be able to know the will of God, what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect. Renew my mind by: First, listening to God’s Word more than the world, then meditate on God’s Word continuously. Second, think about what I think about. Instead of automatically accepting every thought, challenge them. Ask: Do I want to think about this? Is this really true? Is this helpful? How does it make me feel and do I want to feel that way? My feelings are caused by thoughts. If I don’t like the way I feel, then I need to change the way I think. Simply replace it with a different thought. I need to be careful in how I think; for my life is shaped by my thoughts. What I think about is my choice, and I don’t have to believe every thought I have. When I confront a thought that I know isn’t true, I can choose to change what I’m thinking! I can replace it with God’s truth. The only way to know the truth is to get in God’s Word. His truth will help me change my thoughts.
God will judge me based on my faith in him and my response to his revealed will. When I diligently try to obey His will, I am blessed and watched over. I learn to follow God by spending time reading and thinking about what I've read. It means asking myself how I can change so that I live as God wants.
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