The Power of Our Thoughts
Our thoughts – whether positive or negative – are the building blocks that shape our lives. Many believe that our circumstances are determined by what goes on around us, but Scripture reveals that, often times, our circumstances unfold from what develops within us. Proverbs 23:7 states, "For as he [a person] thinks within himself, so he is" (NASB).
James Allen, author of As a Man Thinketh, wrote: "All that you accomplish or fail to accomplish with your life is the direct result of your thoughts. You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you."
When was the last time you evaluated your thoughts?
Do your thoughts reflect who you want to be, or do they mirror a person you’d rather leave behind?
It is important for us to recognize that our expectations are fashioned by our thoughts. If we think something rightfully belongs to us, we will naturally expect to receive it. The challenge, however, is that many of us "ask" and "believe" – but fail to "expect" and "receive." It’s as if we believe that God can do great things, but don’t expect Him to necessarily do great things for us.
Isaiah 30:18 teaches that "the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious... Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy...]"(AMP).
God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34-35). He does not willingly bless some, and casually overlook others. Rather, He "earnestly waits... looking, and longing to be gracious" to any of us who are willing to receive His goodness – through the power of godly thinking and properly planted expectations. In fact, the Bible reveals that being knowledgeable of the Word of God is not enough to live victoriously. Instead, we must "be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal" of our mind (Romans 12:2, AMP). This includes replacing negative patterns of thinking that stem from our upbringing and life experiences – it involves exchanging our faulty reasoning for the Word of God – it entails expecting that the Lord will not only do what He says, but He will do what He says for us.
We are, today, where our thoughts have brought us – but we can be, tomorrow, where our thoughts and expectations take us. So where will yours lead?
Our cry:
Dear Lord, like David, I will meditate on Your words day and night. Your words will become my thoughts, and they will shape my expectations. Please help me replace negative patterns of thinking that stem from my upbringing and life experiences. Strengthen my mental resistance so that I can exchange faulty reasoning for Your principles. Whenever my thoughts begin to regress, I will consider everything You have done, and think about all You have made (Psalm 143:4-5). I will then be reminded that You are "earnestly [waiting], expecting, looking, and longing" to do it all again – for me.
For I am Your handmaiden. I am Your servant.
Recommended reading:
Isaiah 30:18, Amplified Translation
Romans 12:2
Marsha DuCille
Publisher/Editorial Director
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