Managing Your Thoughts
Managing our thoughts These past couple of weeks at work were a battle trying to manage and oversee several projects that all hit at the same time. Trying to keep up with the crazy pace and the long hours challenged me in a way I had never had before. I kept thinking why this year is so different from all the other years.
I usually have the same challenge with all the projects hitting at once, but why did this year seem like such an uphill battle that never let up.I discovered why just last week, which is the title of this blog, “Managing our thoughts.”
I learned that if I wanted my circumstances to improve, my thoughts had to improve first.Somewhere along the way, I allowed negative thoughts to creep in. Rather than stay focus on the projects at hand, I allowed myself to get swept up with discouragement and frustration.
Negative emotions wanted to pull me down and depressing thoughts kept relentlessly playing over and over in my mind. Before I knew it, it was all that came of my mouth. I noticed I lacked the ability to concentrate and stay focus; pretty soon I had no energy and what would take a few moments to accomplish, took what seemed like forever.I certainly had reason to be dragged down. My plate was definitely full. But God’s Word declares a different kind of perspective.
Jeremiah 29:11 AMPC “For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord,thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.”This scripture in Jeremiah kept coming up all last week, on my Bible app, in my prayer journal,in a card someone sent to me in the mail, on social media.
Over and over God kept giving me a lifeline of hope, to encourage me to shift my thoughts to His promises that assures me that His plans are not for evil, but for peace to give me hope in my final outcome.God reminded me I was battling not flesh and blood (see Ephesians 6). I have spiritual weapons to tear down strongholds, to cast down all wrong thoughts. With the help of God’s Word, I am able to take captive every thought and emotion and begin to manage these thoughts rather than have the thoughts manage me.
The weapons of the war we’re fighting are not of this world but are powered by God and effective at tearing down the strongholds erected against His truth.…We are taking prisoners of every thought, every emotion, and subduing them into obedience to the Anointed One. —2 Corinthians 10:4-5 VOICE Once I pulled down these strongholds and began to declare I have the mind of Christ, and that I hold the thoughts, intents, and purposes of His heart! 1 (See Corinthians 2:16 AMPC).God’s promises began to flood my soul.The devil will try to put evil and life-destroying thoughts into our minds, but we can choose to be selective with our thoughts. If the thoughts are not positive, then we can choose to think on something else that is (see Philippians 4:8).Choose to be mentally assertive and proactive with your thoughts. Allow the Word to renew your mind to God’s plan for your life. Meditate on the Word. Confess the Word. Be doers of the Word.I found my attitudes shifted when my thoughts shifted.
I found strength and vision returning and before I realized it, I began to experience hope and confidence. The projects are now behind me. I am grateful for God’s blessings and assistance each step of the way. I appreciate that in my weakness His strength is perfected. Below are the scriptures that carried me through to the finish line of this crazy-busy final week. I pray these declarations inspire you to manage your thoughts and keep them focus on God.I put my trust God and He will help me.Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 37:5 NLT I give God my burdens and He will take care of me.
.Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. Psalm 55:22 NLTI take comfort knowing God will not leave me without support.[God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let[you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me? Hebrews 13:5-6 AMPC Remember that if you want to make better use of your time, you need to better manage your thoughts. Blessings,Cindy
