I wish I would have know it was time to change the station when I couldn’t fall asleep the other night. Instead, I started thinking negative thoughts about myself and didn’t quit. ‘I could have done more to help a student, I should have called a friend the day before, I should have watched what I said to someone…’ The list of my problems went on and on. According to my nighttime musings, I couldn’t do anything right. But instead of trying to think of something else, I let the negativity play over and over in my mind. Although my thoughts weren’t doing me any good, I stayed on that station for hours, eventually falling into a restless sleep.
We live in a negative world, and it’s easy to get caught up in it. But that’s not God’s desire for us. God wants us to continually renew our minds. Renewing our minds means we let go of all the lies that hold us back and grab hold of the truth. “Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing, and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, GWT) God wants us to live a positive and uplifting life. And because he lives inside us, we can overcome negativity. “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7, NHEB)
Let’s replace the dark thoughts with good thoughts-ones that bring peace, joy, and strength. “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.” (Philippians 4:8, NIV) When the thoughts we’re having are all negative, that means it’s time to change the station.
Things to do today:
- Change the way you think.
- Read a similar blog called ‘Think Good Thoughts’ and listen to songs ‘Redeemed’ and ‘Break Every Chain.’