Thankfully, I often think of the apostle Paul and how he and Silas began praising God while imprisoned in chains. (Acts 16)
For as he (or she) thinketh in his heart, so is he/she:
Proverbs 23:7a (Edit Mine)
Our beliefs become our thoughts, our thoughts become our words, our words become our actions, our actions become our habits.
“Whoa, where did that thought come from and why was I thinking it?”
The devil’s attacks on, and recommendations for, our thought life are deliberate. If left unopposed, satan’s scheme will eventually destroy us.
For instance, I woke up not feeling good today. As a result, my thoughts followed the way I felt in my body…
Well, about ten seconds later, the Lord reminded me that His thoughts are not determined by or subject to how I feel, and I began to praise Him and thank Him. I started being positive for my wife and chose to love her by not letting how I felt get me down.
One thing I try to remember throughout the day is that while God said He’ll never leave me nor forsake me, I can often leave Him during the day. What I mean is that, for any number of reasons, I can let my thoughts wander away from Him and begin taking on destructive/defeating thoughts.
Let’s stay with God, saints. Let’s ask Him to remind us of Whose we are throughout the day so we can maintain a victorious thought-life in Christ regardless of circumstances.
“Jesus, please help me to be deliberate in my thinking so I be an overcomer and live the victorious life You’ve given me the opportunity to live.”
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always. Can this really be accomplished? Yes, the Word says it’s God’s will for Christians, those who choose to be followers of Jesus Christ!
God bless,
Mark – ChoosingJesusEveryDay@gmail.com