Dr. Caroline Leaf teaches, “The process of thinking and choosing is the most powerful thing in the universe after God and it is a phenomenal gift from God to be treasured and used properly.”
We can choose life-giving or destructive thoughts. Paul, New Testament missionary and writer, exhorts, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8 NIV). He wouldn’t urge us to do this if it were impossible. This teaching shows us we have the power to choose to think about these things instead of lies, ugliness, impurity, hate, and malice.
Paul also writes that we should, “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5b, NIV). This choice is amazing. We don’t have to be trapped in destructive, spiraling thought patterns. It’s not easy and takes time, work, and, often, help from others. But we can decide to change our thought patterns, and when we do, it changes our brains (Dr. Caroline Leaf, Switch On Your Brain).
Each morning, as we wake up, we choose our first thoughts. We can decide to praise God or moan and complain. As we go through the day and negative thoughts attack, we can stop, look at them, and replace them with truth and beauty.
2. Gratitude
We can choose each day to be thankful for all we have instead of focusing on what we don’t have and being discontent. There’s extensive research on the power of gratitude by both scientists and Christian writers.
Paul teaches, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV). We can choose to be thankful. If someone is caught in a cycle of negativity, it may take time and work, but it can be overcome. Begin by being grateful for just one thing. Write it down, or say it aloud.
Another challenge is to make a list today of five things you’re grateful for, and tomorrow add five more. If we do this each day, we begin to grow in gratitude for God’s gifts.
Author Ann Voskamp beautifully wrote, “No amount of regret changes the past. No amount of anxiety changes the future. Any amount of gratitude changes the present.”
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