“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of a good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8
Everything thought that we have comes from somewhere. There is always a reason why we think the way we do. So Is it possible to think positively all the time? I believe that the true art of positive thinking is to merge our minds with the mind of Christ. So now the question is, is this possible? Can we have the thoughts of Christ all the time?
Philippians 2:5 states, “Let this mind be in you which is in Christ.” Here, Paul commands us to have the mind of Christ. However, this seems like an insurmountable command when we are burdened with the cares of this world; but as I always say, there is hope! We can think about things that are like Christ all of the time. 1 John 5:4 states, “for whatever is born of God overcomes the world, And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.” When we give our hearts to Christ what we’re giving is our mind. The heart and the mind are synonymous in the Bible. This means, God now has the power the renew our minds.
There is more that is required of us. Once we decide to give our heart over to Christ we now have to decide to give every thought over to him also. The choice now is ours. Sometimes we think we’ve given our hearts to God but we still struggle to overcome and think like him.
I remember struggling to focus on the positive. It was always so difficult to focus on what someone was doing wrong and what I should have done better. I realize now that this internal struggle that I faced came from childhood experiences that I needed to heal from. The thoughts that I had about myself and others as a child had everything to do with how I saw the world in adulthood.
I had to go on a journey to stay focused on Jesus. Jesus gives us true rest. Resting in Jesus is about more than relaxing or taking a nap. Resting in Jesus requires us to give our hearts to him. Those things cause us to struggle with how things are going, who we are, and what someone is or isn’t doing.
Matthew 11:29 states, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Jesus wants us to relearn all the things that tarnished our minds in childhood. He wants to renew our self-concept and understanding of the world around us. He wants to take the burdens and heavy yoke that’s upon us and replace it with his yoke of love.
Isaiah 28:12 states, “To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You May cause the weary to rest, And this is refreshing.”
Jesus gives us a renewed and refreshing understanding and clarity in our hearts. He ears the souls and heals our pain.
The only sure safety for our children against every vicious practice is to seek to be admitted into the fold of Christ and to be taken under the watch-care of the faithful and true Shepherd. He will save them from every evil, shield them from all dangers if they will heed his voice. He says, “My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me.” In Christ, they will find pasture, obtain strength and hope, and will not be troubled with restless longings for something to divert the mind and satisfy the heart. They have found the pearl of great price, and the mind is at peaceful rest. Their pleasures are of a pure, peaceful, elevated, heavenly character. They leave no painful reflections, no remorse. Such pleasures do not impair health, or prostrate the mind, but are of a healthful nature. APM 23.1-APM 23.2
Here we see that Christ is our only safety as children. But if our parents were t seeking Christ then Satan had a foothold into our minds. We must seek Christ to realign our thoughts back to him and give us that peaceful rest that only he can provide.
So seek Christ in every thought, action, and deed that doesn’t mimic his character. Think about what you’re thinking about. Don’t allow any unholy or unhealthy thoughts to go noticed. Christ wants to renew your mind! He wants to refresh the soul.
Until next time...
