Mondays give us an opportunity to start another calendar week on the right foot. You’ve probably heard the saying, “I got out of the wrong side of the bed,” when things don’t go well for a person on a given day. Well, today each of us has a chance to frame the kind of day, even week, that we are going to have. And, this occurs mostly in our minds.
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2
The degree to which we are able to make changes in our life will be determined by the attitudes that we have. In the above scripture, Paul is telling us that if we change how we look at things in our mind and if we change our thought patterns, then we can change our lives. Not only change our lives – we can transform our lives.
Today, I encourage you to be intentional about choosing the mindset that you have throughout the day. Make a choice deep in your will that you are going to monitor your thought patterns throughout this week. What kind of thoughts are best? In his letter to the Colossians, Paul instructs us as to what our minds should be focused on. We’re to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:2) When we focus our thoughts on God’s truth found in the Bible we are much better off than when we set our minds on our life’s challenges and the things of this world.
So, before the day goes any further, check your overall mindset and thinking. Say a short prayer asking God to help keep your mind on his truths and things that are pure and loving and kind. ( Philippians 4:8) Make a commitment to monitor your thinking patterns for the entire week. See if this makes a difference in how your week goes.
An Idea: Write yourself a reminder on a 3×5 card or small piece of paper and put it in a visible place – “Monitor my thought pattern.”
Have a great week… not just for yourself, but for the glory of God. Remember, when your light is shining brightly, it’s a reflection of Christ in you that others are seeing, and this brings glory to our Heavenly Father.
Resources on Your Thinking and Mindset:
Affirmations – Receive Affirmations Using Scripture on Facebook and Twitter
Article – Think Spiritual Thoughts/Renew Your Mind
Article – Are Your Thoughts Making You Unhealthy?
mary nelson says
December 27, 2016 at 9:22 AMI think this is a good start for me. Thank you for your help.
Christine nabus says
August 15, 2017 at 12:53 PMI just wanna share what I’ve learned. We have so many things in our minds. Thoughts that are created because of our active brain. Positive, negative, helpful, unhelpful, healthy and unhealthy. All because we are human. I think it’s normal. What will make it abnormal or what makes our thoughts becomes bad is if it will come out from our mouth or put if we put it into action. Meaning, we still have the control. Maybe it’s best then to pick up thoughts that are good, helpful, healthy and positive to come out from us and put it into action. As we practice doing this, it will become our mindset….then it will become our life.
Dale Fletcher says
August 15, 2017 at 1:46 PMHi Christine, Thanks for your ideas on how our thoughts impact our behaviors. I generally agree with you. And I’ll add that the Bible gives us guidelines on what thoughts thoughts ought to be in order to experience the full life that Jesus died for us to be able to have. Blessings to you! ~ Dale
Sean Brunson says
September 8, 2017 at 7:15 PM2 Corinthians 10:5- MAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE TO CHRIST.
Chris Fulmer says
August 30, 2017 at 10:53 AMDale, thanks for this article. I suffered from negative mindsets for a long time and allowed them to steal many years of life from me. It’s still something I battle occasionally, but I thank God that I have a new outlook.
Now, like you, I’m writing about it to help other people realize they don’t have to live the way I used to.
Thanks again!