Once when troubled by stinkin’ thinkin’, I asked my pastor
what to do. He said, “Just because a bird flies over you, you don’t need to let
it build a nest in your hair . . . ”
In other words, unhelpful and sinful thoughts will come to
the door, but we don’t need to let them in. The way our brains work, we can
deflect them by thinking something else. Learning how to do that is part of the
Christian experience. The Bible tells us how to replace those thoughts. . .
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let
your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 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. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable,
if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about
these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in
me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians
4:4–9)
Put Jesus in the middle of my thoughts. Instead of
worrying, tell God and ask Him to take care of things. He will give amazing
peace, and when that peace is threatened, deliberately choose better things to
think about. Persist. Practice. Thinking godly thoughts is possible to those
who have the mind of Christ.
What I feed my mind is important too. Thinking pure and
lovely thoughts is far more difficult if I watch violence and sinful activities
on television or read books filled with impure actions and words.
Also, there are many other wonderful things to consider. For
instance, enjoy creation and think about it. The psalmist praised God as he
looked “at your heavens, the work of your
fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place” (Psalm 8:3) and
Solomon gives good advice when he tells my lazy mind to, “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.” (Proverbs
6:6) Taking thought about the lessons of creation could occupy anyone’s mind
for a long time!
Another weapon against stinkin’ thinkin’ is remembering
and being thankful for all that God has done, and how I do not deserve any of
it. “Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all
your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.” (1 Samuel
12:24)
When I struggle, it helps to read Hebrews. It was written
to Christians who were suffering various trials and persecutions for their new
faith and tempted to return to the old covenant. They are reminded that Jesus is
superior. The old covenant was temporary, a shadow of the true, and preparation
for the salvation to be found in Christ alone. To battle their wrong desire to
turn back, they were told . . .
Consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our
confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was
faithful in all God’s house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory
than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the
house itself . . . Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to
testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over
God’s house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our
confidence and our boasting in our hope. (Hebrews 3:1–6)
Those first two words are my greatest weapon against the
wrong thinking that can pester me and fill my mind —“Consider Jesus . . .”
Sometimes I consider His grace in leaving heaven to come
here and die for sinners like me. Sometimes I consider all that He has done in
my life. Sometimes I consider how He suffered and trusted His Father in the
suffering when He had the power to make it go away.
For every battle I fight, Jesus fought a greater battle,
like mine only more intense, more fierce. And He survived because “He entrusted Himself to Him who judges
justly.” (1 Peter 2:23)
He is also my kind and caring Shepherd who knows when I am
troubled by those buzzing thoughts. He knows when I need the touch of His rod
and staff and the soothing balm of His anointing oil. The Lord is my Shepherd . . . I shall
not want anything, including peace of mind.
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