James Allen, author of As a Man Thinketh, once said “You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.”
Our thoughts and emotions are represented in the body as electrochemical reactions. These chemicals are constantly floating around in our bodies and are stored in different places. The research is clear that negative thoughts, and the associated harmful chemicals, have detrimental effects on our health.
You can control the degree to which harmful chemicals float around in your body by adjusting your thinking patterns. Start by making a deliberate decision to change how you’re thinking. Commit to putting a concerted effort into this for a week and see if it doesn’t make a difference in your attitude, emotions and resulting behavior.
Begin to monitor your thinking patterns and identify when you’re thinking or meditating on negative thoughts or thoughts that cause you to be anxious or are connected with some other harmful emotion. Let those thoughts go and replace them with positive thoughts.
Read the Bible and meditate on scriptures. Believe what you read to be true and tuck these truths into your mind and your heart. Identify scriptures that are meaningful to you and create personal affirmations and speak them out loud. Here’s an example using Psalm 63:5. “You satisfy me more than the richest of foods.” When reading and meditating on scripture becomes part of your daily ‘diet,’ you’ll likely see a change in your thinking patterns.
Paul tells us in Philippians 4:8 “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. 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.”
This spiritual exercise of healthy thinking is all important in living a healthy life. The more effective we can be at thinking as Paul urges us, the more likely we’ll live a full and healthier life.
Read my article on Think Spiritual Thoughts/Renew Your Mind… A Spiritual Exercise for a Healthier Life.
Read another article Are Your Thoughts Making You Unhealthy?
Learn about 17 other Spiritual Exercises for a Healthier Life.
