Tears flowed as this leader came to terms with the VOLUME of “stinkin thinkin” they had allowed over the years. The seduction of continual focus on pain, shame and regret had kept them imprisoned in their thoughts. The impact on their marriage, parenting, community, business and their own sense of well-being has been profound. They had resigned themselves to being a “prisoner of their thoughts”.
Are you a prisoner of your thoughts?
As followers of Jesus, we are invited into something more. Our “fleshly” minds are consumed with thoughts and emotions that are SO NOT OF HIM. He clearly invites you and me into a different space, a transcendent space, a life-giving space.
I firmly believe, after leading and discipling leaders for over 30 years, that our willingness to do the challenging work of 2 fundamental questions and 1 crucial choice is at the heart of our ability to enjoy “peace that transcends all understanding”.
“Sow a thought and you reap and action;
Sow an act and you reap a habit;
Sow a habit and you reap a character;
Sow a character and you reap a destiny.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Here are the 2 thoughtful questions and 1 deliberate choice…
Based on the fact that what you are feeling in the moment is real to you, ask…
Thoughtful Question 1: Is it true?
Pause
Breathe
Slowly……..reflectively ask the next question…
Thoughtful Question 2: Is it REALLY true?
Based on what’s true, you must choose to focus on…. to renew your mind… to meditate on…. what is of Christ. To do otherwise is to give the “devil a foothold” in your mind, in your life.
Look at these 2 verses in Philippians 4:8-9 The Voice
The scriptures are filled with the call for leaders like you and me to be disciplined with our minds. To ignore any stinkin’ thinkin’ that we choose to tolerate in our thoughts and emotions would seriously limit our sense of freedom, well-being, and purpose.
A Maverick Application:
- If you have been tolerating “stinkin thinkin”; declare it, confess it and invite Jesus to help your change your thoughts.
- On one side of a cue card, print out the 2 thoughtful questions. On the other side print out Philippians 4:8-9 and memorize it.
- Determine to shift your “thinkin” when you find it to be “stinkin”.
- Determine and practice “thinkin” that is filled with beauty, truth, honorable, right, pure, lovely, good, virtuous, and praiseworthy.
- Ask a friend to help and pray with you as you look to align your mind to Christ.
