This morning, while sitting at our lake prepping for this week, I was reflecting on the impact of small thoughts…fleeting thoughts. As I stopped and assessed myself, I could recognize a variety of thoughts moving in and out of my mind. Thoughts of family, business, marriage and parenting, decisions, pressures and risks.
Sound familiar?
Years ago, Richard Carlson wrote a book called, “Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff … And It’s All Small Stuff.”
This book provided very helpful reminders that life is so much bigger than perceived never ending pressures, relentless disappointments and constant demands of others. Here are a few reminders from his book.
“I’ve got 99 problems and 86 of them are made up scenarios in my head that I’m stressing about for absolutely not logical reason.”
“You are what you practice most.”
“Meanwhile, life keeps moving forward. The truth is, there’s no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when?”
Richard Carlson invites us to see our circumstances in light of the bigger picture – the bigger story.
The apostle Paul makes this clear for us in Philippians 4:4 – 9 NLT. He speaks directly to our capacity as Christ followers to be far more mindful.
Here are 10 questions you can ask regarding your mindfulness. Are your thoughts full of …
- Joy?
- Being considerate in all you do?
- Remembering and enjoying the reality that the Lord is coming soon?
- Saying “No” to worry and anxiousness?
- Praying about everything; honestly expressing your heart to Him?
- Expressing thankfulness for ALL that He has done for you, regardless of the circumstances?
- Being still so that you can experience His perfect peace right in the midst of your circumstances?
- His peace so that you are guarding your heart and mind?
- Intentionally fixed on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and admirable, excellent and worthy of praise?
- Purposefully practicing Kingdom truths you have learned, received and heard from the Christ centered men and women God has brought into your life?
Think about it. What’s the impact if your thoughts are “FULL” of things not of Christ and His Kingdom? Jesus has called you and me to be rigorous with our thoughts – even the small ones.
Choosing to be mindful of my thoughts, especially when I don’t feel like it, has been a well-practiced, significant focus for many years. There is much more work to be done. At the same time, I have enjoyed a far more full life because of choosing Him and His thoughts.
What are you thinking about? Are you mindful of your thoughts?
A Maverick Application:
- Set aside some time to reflect on Phil 4:4 – 9 NLT.
- Using the 10 questions, ask God to show you where your thoughts may not be aligned with what He would have for you.
- Confess where they are not of Him.
- Invite Him to help you reshape your thoughts. He will help you as you choose to be more “thoughtful”.
