One of my favorite authors A.W. Tozer says it this way…
“What we think about when we are free to think about what we will – that is what we are or will soon become.”
A.W. Tozer
King Solomon, who was considered to be the wisest man ever said it like this,
Proverbs 23:7
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
The power of our thinking should never be underestimated. Secular authors have made millions of dollars on the concept of positive thinking. Go into any bookstore (if you can find one) and check the self-help section. They are going to be primarily focused on your thinking. The thoughts there are if you want to be rich, think rich. If you want to be healthy, think healthy. If you want to be successful, think successful.
These concepts are actually not unbiblical. As Tozer said in the quote above, “what we think about when we are free to think … that is what we are or will become.”
Put simply, you want to change your life, then change your thinking. It’s simple to state, but a little harder to put into practice. Our minds are finicky. They play tricks on us.
Jesus gave us this same principle in the gospels …
Luke 6:45
A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.
In the Bible “heart” is typically a reference to one’s entire being including thoughts and emotions. Jesus basically says here that you live out what you are on the inside. The words (and actions) that we put forth are a result of who we really are.
The apostle Paul instructs us this way …
Philippians 4:8
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.
By now, I think it’s clear. Change your thinking and you will change your life. We know this is a truth. Though it’s a Biblical concept, even a non-believer knows this to be true. Our thoughts are the epicenter of who we are. If we can control them, and change them, we will become what we think. If we don’t change them, we are what we think.
So, here’s some basic steps to start changing your thinking today …
- Read your Bible and pray. – this might be Christianity 101 stuff, but it’s the most basic truth we need to remember. The Bible has the thoughts we need. Beyond that, the Bible is the only book you will ever read that is “alive”. The words are not just a series of black and red letters. They are life-giving words that can speak directly to our soul. Prayer is also intertwined in this process. Prayer isn’t just a “bow your head” think. It’s a constant communication with God.
- Prioritize – do the things that are most important first. If you want to be healthy, don’t wait until the end of the day when you won’t do it. Do it first. Want to learn a new skill? Do it first. Prioritize. I would also add spending time with your loved ones in this category. Don’t give your biggest supporters your leftovers. Spend time FIRST with them. Prioritize family.
- Know Your Triggers – this is a big one. We are all triggered by certain things. If you’re on a diet, don’t go to the bakery. If you’re trying to stay sober, don’t go to the bar with friends. Sometimes the triggers are people. If you know someone is a trigger for you, avoid them. If that’s impossible, such as a work environment, work at controlling the time with them. Knowing your trigger can prevent a mind spiral downward.
- Flip the Script – when little negative words pop in your head turn it around immediately. When you hear “you can’t do this, you’ve tried before”, change it to “I’m determined to stay the course”. Go a step further and have someone help you with accountability.
- Discipline – this is one we don’t like to talk about, but at times is needed. Sometimes you just “don’t feel like it”. Your thinking is way off and you are doing your best to wiggle your mind out of whatever it is. Good old-fashioned will power is sometimes needed. This can’t be the only method, because it will fall short at some point. But, on occasion discipline can get us through. The end result is that at some point our thinking changes and the will power isn’t needed (or at least needed minimally).
- Return to What Worked – this is super practical. Go back to something that’s worked in the past. Maybe a certain song motivates you. Maybe there’s a special place that calms you down. Whatever it is, go back to that. Our minds are so powerful and they are triggered so easily.
- Beware of the Interference – it’s happened to all of us. You’re having a good day. Your thoughts are good. You’re getting stuff done. Then, whamo out of nowhere something challenges that. Sometimes these are unavoidable circumstances that happen in life. We can’t really do anything about those. But, I’m talking about people that try and hijack your thoughts. No one has a right to hijack your thoughts. You and only you control what you are thinking.
- Slow Down – take time to think. Not pretend thinking, real thinking. This is time to reflect. Turn off all of the noise and calm down.
From his business book “Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life” Brian Tracy says ….
Any thought or action that you repeat over and over will eventually become a new habit.
Brian Tracy
You want to change your life? Start with your thinking. Today is the day.