"As a man thinks in his heart, so he is."
Proverbs: 23:7
In Part 1 we talked about how amazing our minds are, and how quickly a thought comes in, causes a feeling which cases an action, reaction, or inaction. This leads to our current results. We talked about how easily we fall into a negative cycle if we are not being intentional to think about what we are thinking about. God's Word tells us what to do in order to break out of a cycle of problematic thinking.
Romans's 12:2 tells us:
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Good news! God's Word tells us we can change. The key to lasting change is to change your thoughts. Thankfully our conscious minds have the ability to make choices.
2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us:
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to the obedience of Christ." [Note: this does not mean I strain to make my thoughts "obey Christ." On the contrary - It says that I'm to take my thoughts captive to "Christ's obedience" - to His willingness to die on the cross for me. I cannot change them on my own. I surrender them to him]
"Wow. I have a lot of thoughts! Do you mean that I am supposed to be conscious of every. single. thought?"
That was my question for the Lord. And He whispered, "pay attention to your thoughts." It seemed overwhelming at first, but I realized that I could easily identify my emotions, so I started there. When I felt guilt, fear, condemnation, or frustration I immediately explored what thoughts were causing that unwanted emotion. I began to shift my thoughts to Jesus and what He did for me. Instead of just letting my mind roam freely and randomly over absolutely anything, I became selective and started using what I called my "Bridge of Choice." By using the bridge of choice and intentionally choosing my different thought, I realized that my feelings were impacted, followed by my actions. And that began to give me new results.
Here is my illustration of the way I learned to be transformed by the renewing of my mind. I started sharing it with leaders I was coaching, and they began to experience transformation, as well.
Here's what you can do to begin to coach yourself:
Identify your current:
THOUGHTS
FEELINGS
ACTONS
RESULTS
Write them down.
To cross the bridge of choice . . .
Identify NEW patterns you will choose:
NEW THOUGHTS
NEW FEELINGS - Start here. What would you rather be feeling?
NEW ACTIONS
NEW RESULTS
Ask yourself, What would I rather be feeling? Write it down. Remember that our thoughts cause our feelings. Ask yourself - In order to have this kind of feeling, what does God's Word say? What kinds of thoughts should I be thinking? Write it down. What does God's Word say I should do? Write it down. What kind of results would I like to have?. Write it down.
Place your new thinking cycle someplace you will see it often during the day.
When an old thought comes in, reject it and cross the bridge of choice. Choose the new thoughts you've identified. Soon you will have a new pathway established in your brain and it will get easier and easier to think your new thoughts.
Note: I have learned that a huge key is to shift my thoughts from ME to JESUS. Instead of focusing on myself
or my mistake or what someone has done to me, I can choose to think about Christ's obedience on my
behalf. Becuase of what He has done I am completely righteous in God's eyes. Completely forgiven.
Deeply loved. Greatly blessed. Not through anything I have done on my own. It's completely through
God's grace. [Learn more about God's Grace with Joseph Prince. Grace Revolution Book. Grace Revolution Message]
For information on additional coaching tools, Thinking About Thinking workshops, or coaching, contact me.
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