I was reminded again today how important how I think is. We can think angry thoughts, bitter thoughts, self-pity thoughts, greedy, covetous, discounted thoughts, immoral thoughts, prideful thoughts, critical, judgmental thoughts, and selfish thoughts. No one knows what I am thinking, so there is no external motivation; the strong desire to be pure, holy, and righteous in our thinking all day long must come from our hearts. In my morning prayer of commitment, part of my prayer is, “I will take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”

What motivates me is that I know that God knows every thought I think, and He rewards or disciplines me based on my thinking. I pray to God about everything that happens during the day. My praying is mostly in my head rather than out loud. My praying to God constantly reminds me that He knows what I think. So, as I mentally talk to God during the day, I reinforce my firm belief that He hears my thoughts.

Events and circumstances prompt thoughts in me. When things happen that I don’t like, my first thoughts will be negative, critical, judgmental, self-pity, or angry. But the trick is to capture those initial, fleshly thoughts and choose to think right. It sounds simple and easy, but it isn’t easy at all. If my darn brain would take a break and stop reacting to life negatively, I could catch my breath and have an easier time of it. But, no such blessing; my brain goes 24/7, even while I am sleeping, and some of my dreams are bad.

A fundamental law of life is that what we think about shapes our character, choices, and behavior. I am not 100% successful at taking my thoughts captive, especially when I am tired or when the event prompting my thoughts is very painful or disappointing. I try to confess wrong thinking to God as sin quickly when I catch it and immediately ask Him for strength to be holy and joyous in my thinking. I also mentally try to say, “Thank You, Lord,” all day long for everything good, positive, and enjoyable that happens to me.