More than anything you guard, protect your mind, for life flows from it.
Proverbs 4.23
No matter how much effort you do, how much faith you have, how good
person you are, you’ll never get to the place where negative thoughts don’t come.
It’s unavoidable. Those discouraging thoughts, “You’ll never get well, never meet
the right person, never get out of debt, your dreams are never going to come to
pass, the medical report is not going to change”. You can’t stop negative thoughts
from coming, but it doesn’t mean you have to think it. You’re in charge of what
you give access to.
That’s why the Scripture tells us to guard our minds. Be selective in what
you allow in. If the thought is negative, discouraging, worrisome, fearful, do
yourself a favor: don’t let it in. It’s not that easy, but it’s not that complicated either,
don’t dwell on it. Don’t give it the time of the day.
Before you dwell on that, before you let it take root, ask yourself, “where is
this thought coming from?”. If it’s not positive, hopeful, encouraging, it’s not from
God. That’s the enemy doing what he does best, trying to plant negative seeds,
fearful seeds, inferior seeds.
You may tell me, “But haven’t you watched the news, interest rates going
up, the recession, the stock market, I’m worried.” Those are valid thoughts. I’m
not saying to deny reality. I’m saying be selective in what you dwell on.
The right approach is, “yes, there’s a lot of uncertainty, I don’t know how
it’s all going to turn out, but God I know you’re my provider. Just as you take care
of the birds of the air, feed and clothe them, you’re going to take care of me”.
Instead of keeping your mind stayed on your problems, stayed on the news,
stayed on the doubt, stayed on worry; keep it stayed on what God promised you.
And be ready to live all the good things God has promised you.
Prayer: Father, you said when the enemy comes against me one way, you
would defeat them and cause them to flee seven different ways. This problem I’m
going through may be too big for me, but I know it’s not too big for you. In Jesus’
name I pray, amen.
