What Were You Thinking?

Healthy Thinking Series

One day, Natalie was sitting home alone blissfully enjoying a moment of solitude. When out of nowhere thoughts of a previous relationship that did not end well began to flood her mind. Before she realized, Natalie had sunken into a state of sadness …

Where do thoughts originate? Why do we think the thoughts we think?  Why do some surface at times unrelated to the current situation? Physically, thoughts are derived from the gateway of the physical senses. Whenever we see, hear, taste, smell and touch something, the likelihood the experience will leave an impression in our minds is extremely possible. Psychologically, the mind has a perplexity to fabricate thoughts not linked to our five senses. Spiritually, thoughts are believe to be swayed by forces not visible to the eye, from an unseen realm. Unfortunately, some thoughts are a result of mental dysfunction by nature or chemically induced.

“Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life.” Proverbs 4:23 CEB

The determination of the thoughts that flow into our minds are beyond our control. Even the most positive person is helpless to block a depressing thought from creeping into the cerebrum of one’s mind. Although, we are unable to hinder unwanted thoughts from making an appearance, we have a say if the thought will stay and how long it will reside in our minds. As much as possible, Proverbs 4:23 instructs us to be on the look out for those thoughts that will steer us in to places that diminish us rather than uplift. The act of guarding our thoughts require us to be mindful of what we are thinking at all times, primarily, in a conscious state. In circumstances such unconsciousness along with mental dysfunction, controlling one’s thoughts is more challenging. However, those who are “normally” balanced mentally have the choice to choose how long a defeating thought will linger or to reject it. Choose wisely, the verse also informs us the thoughts we allow to stay in our minds influences the outcome of our tomorrows.

… Through the acknowledgment of her thoughts as the source of her darkened emotional state. Natalie began to worship God in song, as she worshipped her state of being altered substantially from sadness to joy.

“The thoughts we allow in our present state of mind set the tone for the thoughts that follow in the future.”_ASA