I was in a bit of conflict with my thoughts at the YMCA Spinning class this morning. The song blasting out was “Everything is Awesome.” I didn’t feel so awesome at the time. At the same time, our instructor yelled, "Get out of your comfort zone! Go faster! Push it!” I thought I was already out of my comfort zone!
Every one of us is constantly thinking. Sometimes positive thoughts. Sometimes negative thoughts. We’ve got thoughts swirling around our hearts that often, we can’t even control. What do we do with our thoughts?
Some experts estimate that we humans have around 70,000 thoughts a day. Some say that 75% of these thoughts are negative and 95% are repetitive. Ouch. These thoughts often pop up due to stress, anxiety, lack of sleep, or big changes in your life or body.
Why not check your thoughts right now? Time yourself. Take the next two minutes. Notice every time you think about something and put a slash. How many thoughts did you have in those two minutes? Were they positive or negative?
Our society around us urges us to conform to the world's standards. Toxic thinking. Judging others. Comparing. Participating in political vitriol. Placing value on what we drive, our homes, and what we wear. Have you seen the effects of social media on our thought lives? The more we immerse ourselves in it, the lonelier and more depressed we can become. Every thought and focus can have a consequence.
Oh, how we could all benefit from transforming our thought lives! Listen to J.B. Phillips's version of Romans 12:1-2:
“With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands, and moves towards the goal of true maturity.”
We weren’t made to be molded into the ways of society. But so often, we are! Yet, God wants to help us with our thinking. Our God wants to help us rewire our thoughts. As we ask Him, He will help us create a new way of thinking.
We can get so disturbed in our lives! What immediate matters are pressing in on you today? Jesus invites you to consider Him. Present your bodies to God. Give Him Your worries, fears, and anxieties. God wants you, not just your work. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Consider this question when thinking about your thinking: “What is true here? What does God’s Word say?” (Enduring Word, Romans 12:1-2) Think about your thinking. May we enjoy God's peace today and every day.
Some experts estimate that we humans have around 70,000 thoughts a day. Some say that 75% of these thoughts are negative and 95% are repetitive. Ouch. These thoughts often pop up due to stress, anxiety, lack of sleep, or big changes in your life or body.
Why not check your thoughts right now? Time yourself. Take the next two minutes. Notice every time you think about something and put a slash. How many thoughts did you have in those two minutes? Were they positive or negative?
Our society around us urges us to conform to the world's standards. Toxic thinking. Judging others. Comparing. Participating in political vitriol. Placing value on what we drive, our homes, and what we wear. Have you seen the effects of social media on our thought lives? The more we immerse ourselves in it, the lonelier and more depressed we can become. Every thought and focus can have a consequence.
Oh, how we could all benefit from transforming our thought lives! Listen to J.B. Phillips's version of Romans 12:1-2:
“With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands, and moves towards the goal of true maturity.”
We weren’t made to be molded into the ways of society. But so often, we are! Yet, God wants to help us with our thinking. Our God wants to help us rewire our thoughts. As we ask Him, He will help us create a new way of thinking.
We can get so disturbed in our lives! What immediate matters are pressing in on you today? Jesus invites you to consider Him. Present your bodies to God. Give Him Your worries, fears, and anxieties. God wants you, not just your work. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Consider this question when thinking about your thinking: “What is true here? What does God’s Word say?” (Enduring Word, Romans 12:1-2) Think about your thinking. May we enjoy God's peace today and every day.
Take a listen: Still My Mind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpqaIU2vzhc
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
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