“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Phil. 4:8 NLT

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7 KJV

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Romans 12:2

Neuroscientist Carolyn Leaf, in her book Switch on Your Brain, says, “You can, through conscious effort, gain control of your thoughts and feelings, and in doing so, you can change the programing and chemistry of your brain.” The key, perhaps, is the “conscious effort.” People aren’t accustomed to the hard work and discipline of controlling thoughts, feelings, and words. But we can with God’s help change our thinking patterns and defaults. Through solid effort by renewing our minds with the Word of God – putting it into our minds through our eyes and through our ears – we can change toxic thoughts through the power of the Truth of the Word of God and the love expressed in that Truth.

As I was meditating on a challenge in my life the other day I felt the Holy Spirit teach me an important truth about my mind. He said, when you enter into a conceptualized thought, it’s like stepping into an elevator. That elevator can take you where you want to go – up or down. Paul instructs us, “Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” (Colossians 3:2) Some thought subject matter can take me on a downward spiral to despair. But those thoughts can be challenged and evicted. I can replace those thoughts with the promises of God – the Truth of the matter that dispels every fear.

Father,

I ask you for grace and strength today to take every thought captive and make my thoughts agree with you, comply with your Word, and align with your love.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.