Most of our waking time, we are thinking -- flitting, repetitive, worrisome little notions or hopeful and strategic scenarios. In fact, we are thinking so much of the time that we actively try to stop. We jog, play a sport, or do any number of pursuits, even play video games, to focus our attention away from thinking. Not because thinking is bad. It's just tends to be incessant. That is, in fact, the primary problem with it -- just too much of a good thing. Because too much thinking can lead to wrong believing.
Belief is a very big and important thing -- not to be taken lightly. Belief lies at the core of our being, shaping our entire experience of life. It can shape our shame and the slump of our shoulders, our confidence and the grace of our walk, our sense of safety an
d our willingness to be kind. It can generate the physiology of fear, with rapid heart beat, adrenalin rushes and a sense of desperation, leading to self-centeredness and rudeness. Our beliefs are, so to speak, the wind beneath our wings. We go where they direct us.
Our most fundamental and intractable beliefs are formed before we had any thoughts to counter them. The beliefs of childhood get into the entire fabric of our being -- into our bones, our muscles, the state of our resting state, our propensity to smile or scowl. The beliefs of childhood tell us who we are and what the world is. Our deep-seated beliefs, some accurate, some not, are seldom questioned.
Understanding childhood beliefs help use to better understand ourselves and the people close to us. Childhood beliefs can inhibit our walk with God. Thoughts like "I'll never amount to anything." "My father never really loved me." "I'm just stupid." "I'm not worthy of Gods love."
The thoughts we choose to think each day feed our beliefs just as our beliefs direct the thoughts we are choosing. We often don't even know consciously what we believe about ourselves and the world. We just blissfully, or not so blissfully, allow ourselves to be choreographed by them. But when we have a clearer idea of what we are thinking at any moment. Our thoughts can be questioned, accepted or discarded, evaluated by facts and history and ramifications. The best question to ask a thought is, "are you useful?" "If I believe this thought, where does it take me?" And -- "Do I really want to go there?"
What we feed ourselves each day, what thoughts we permit, will eventually if left unexamined and unchecked, will eventually determine and define our belief system.
Philippians 4:8 "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."
Think on Gods Grace today and everyday...Now that's really good thinking!!
Our most fundamental and intractable beliefs are formed before we had any thoughts to counter them. The beliefs of childhood get into the entire fabric of our being -- into our bones, our muscles, the state of our resting state, our propensity to smile or scowl. The beliefs of childhood tell us who we are and what the world is. Our deep-seated beliefs, some accurate, some not, are seldom questioned.
Understanding childhood beliefs help use to better understand ourselves and the people close to us. Childhood beliefs can inhibit our walk with God. Thoughts like "I'll never amount to anything." "My father never really loved me." "I'm just stupid." "I'm not worthy of Gods love."
The thoughts we choose to think each day feed our beliefs just as our beliefs direct the thoughts we are choosing. We often don't even know consciously what we believe about ourselves and the world. We just blissfully, or not so blissfully, allow ourselves to be choreographed by them. But when we have a clearer idea of what we are thinking at any moment. Our thoughts can be questioned, accepted or discarded, evaluated by facts and history and ramifications. The best question to ask a thought is, "are you useful?" "If I believe this thought, where does it take me?" And -- "Do I really want to go there?"
What we feed ourselves each day, what thoughts we permit, will eventually if left unexamined and unchecked, will eventually determine and define our belief system.
Philippians 4:8 "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."
Think on Gods Grace today and everyday...Now that's really good thinking!!
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