Three R’s.

Do you ever struggle with the right type of thinking?

Me too.

I feel like there are many days where it is this constant teetering between right thoughts and wrong thoughts.

Of course stress, difficult people and trying days always play into my thinking patterns but over the past few months I have been determined to overcome the battle of the thoughts -regardless of my circumstances.

I’m afraid that sometimes we believe our circumstances dictate our message but it’s actually the opposite…our message [Jesus] dictates our circumstances. He is victory, therefore we have the victory in everything we face -including our thoughts.

Through reading several books, listening to sermons and really seeking God’s Word on this topic, I put together a buffet of concepts to help me overcome this battle. There is probably nothing new in this post to you but maybe you will find something helpful in your own personal journey.

We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. -2 Corinthians 10:5 [The MSG]

Wow. That verse will preach.

While my notebook is filled with these concepts, for this post I’ve narrowed it down to:

The Three R’s of Right Thinking.

1. Recognize

I was thinking the other day how when we are facing an addiction or struggle, recognizing what we are doing is often the hardest step. Sometimes when I see someone doing something that is only going to ultimately hurt them, I want to say: “Don’t you see what your doing?”. But the truth is…until they see it, its not going to change.

It is the same with our thoughts.

So, I made a list of all the negative thoughts I face daily. Seeing them on paper opened my eyes.

Then, I went to Romans 8:5 that says this:

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

Since ultimately I want what the Spirit desires…I came up with the next step:

2. Retaliate

Harsh word isn’t it? When it comes to this battle we have got to be bold and firm.

Today I’m thinking about three ways in which we can best retaliate:

A. The Word James 1: 22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

B. Praise [not just singing either] Proverbs 16:24 has a wise thought to offer us, “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

What we say does matter. Choose your thoughts carefully but choose your words even more carefully.

C. Prayer Obviously talking to God is important but asking Him for wisdom in overcoming the wrong type of thinking is so valuable. He is ready and willing to help us have the victory that is ours.

Then…I made a decision to:

3. Resolve

Joyce Meyer talks about this in her book Battlefield of the Mind [which I highly recommend]. She says that once we decide to overcome our negative thoughts we have to replace them with something else.

So I personally have resolved to replace my difficult thoughts with God’s. The battle isn’t mine…it’s His and He has already overcome. It’s my job to resolve to experience that victory.

I have also resolved not to allow a lot of empty space in my thinking. Keeping myself fueled up in God’s promises is vital.

I really don’t care very much what other people think [which has been a huge obstacle].

And I am learning to love other people through their struggles -but not carry their struggles with me. Someone lovingly pointed out to me that I tend to do this because its just the way my heart falls, but I can’t.

Resolving that other people’s issues are THEIR issues and not mine has been a huge burden lifted from me when it comes to right thinking.

Recognizing, Retaliating and Resolving these are the steps I’m taking into right thinking. And day by day that victory is getting easier to tap into.