Fresh Thoughts for a New Year
Happy New Year. It’s time for some fresh thinking. I don’t want to carry any defeating thoughts and attitudes into 2016. I have some, don’t you? I’m talking about thought habits where I assume what others are thinking or what they will probably do, and I work myself into a little depression. Others might be defeated by anger and resentment, projecting what is likely to happen in the future based on others’ past behavior.
I needed wisdom in how to deal with these feelings and impressions that overwhelm me. James 1:5 says, in summary, that those who lack wisdom should ask God who gives to all liberally, and it will be given them. So I prayed for God to give me wisdom in how to handle my defeating, stale thoughts. The next day I was reading in Philippians, and He spoke to my heart from four parts of chapter 4. It’s like a blueprint for how to reprogram my thinking. This was 3 weeks ago, and I’ve already pasted these thoughts into my Bible and rehearse them regularly. Hopefully they will be helpful to you too.
Four steps to handling plaguing thoughts that arise because of some reoccurring circumstance.
♦Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God (Phil 4:6) So first, pray each time it comes up, but in that prayer, be sure to thank God. Why? Because God is the bigger picture. He’s bigger than whatever is bothering me. So mentioning my concerns to God with thanksgiving is the balance between rehearsing my griefs and focusing on the amazing God who cares and understands. I’m so glad He included “with thanksgiving!”
♦Finally my brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Phil 4:8) After I have prayed and thanked God, turn my thoughts to the approved things. Find lovely, pure things to think on. God’s awesomeness would be a great start, since I have just thanked God in my prayer. So meditate on whatever it is I’m thanking God about.
♦Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound… I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me. (Phil 4:11-13) My circumstances may not change. Learn to abound with what I have and learn to be content. How can I possibly be content in a less than ideal circumstance? I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me. Christ strengthens me. He helps me abound in crummy situations. Christ is there. He’s in it with me. He provides inner fortitude to keep going.
♦But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:19). Realize God has and will supply all my needs. That includes emotional. If I’m lacking some huge need, Christ will supply it. That’s something to thank Him for. And I’m back to the first 2 points.
This is the blueprint I’m going to follow throughout 2016. Next, I plan to go on a journey of the approved thoughts in Phil 4:8. Since those thoughts are so important, each one of them deserves some meditation. Let’s do it together.
Jody