Eliminating negative thinking can make a big difference. It is something that everyone can do. This does not mean that we have to always be positive. We can also practice neutral thinking because not everything in life should have a positive reaction. For example, if you lost your job a positive reaction would not be natural. A negative response to this would be to think that everything is hopeless and I should give up. A neutral response would be that this is not good news, but God is still with me. I will continue to work hard and trust that God has a purpose for how He will use me. When we eliminate or reduce negative thinking, our minds are then freed to solve problems more clearly. To avoid any negative thinking we can seek to cultivate great thoughts. This can be done by thinking great thoughts about God, yourself, others, your life, the future, and the past. To accomplish this, the Bible provides ample resources. The following are a few examples. Great thoughts about God No one is like you, Lord; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. Jeremiah 10:6. Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23. Great thoughts about yourself Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26. See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1. Great thoughts about others As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17. So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. Romans 12:5-6. Great thoughts about the future Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” John 14:1-2. Great thoughts about the past Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8. Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Psalm 90:1.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Micah StohlmannChristian, author, and professor of mathematics education. Archives
September 2023
Categories |