The mind is a powerful force. Our thoughts direct our actions, so it is important to control our thoughts. While we may not be able to restrain an initial, impulsive thought reaction, we can decide that we aren’t going to continue down that path or dwell in a place of negativity, judgment, or anger. We can rein in our thoughts and redirect them. Scripture tells us to “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8).
Because I have someone in my life whose spirit is often critical, I am frequently reminded of how I don’t want to be. When I find myself responding to others with agitation and irritation (I am only human, after all!), I soon remember to examine my thoughts. Are they true? Are they honourable? Are they right, pure, lovely, admirable? If not, I need to change them. I must recall that my “adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). [W]e are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). The enemy seeks to stir up conflict and division, but God desires us to have an attitude of forgiveness, peace and reconciliation. Recently my husband shared with me an Isabel Allum video (begin at 22:47) that speaks to this, if you would like to watch it.
Emotions are also powerful and action-oriented. We need to pay attention to emotions because they can represent our gut reaction or instincts and at times can save us a boatload of trouble. At other times they can mislead us and put us in danger. God has emotions and we are created in his image. Having emotions or being emotional is not “bad,” however unlike God, our expressions of emotions are not always perfect or holy. We have a sinful nature and live in a fallen world of volatility, subjectivity, and recklessness. I’ll confess that I haven’t striven too hard to guard my emotions, largely because I struggle to be in touch with them and feel that, if anything, they are tamped down already. I did find a couple of what I think are good introductory articles on the subject. Check out these in PsychologyToday and MyWell Being.
What else is powerful? Our will. Just like our mind and emotions, our will drives our actions. Merriam-Webster defines “will” (noun) as a desire or wish, such as a disposition, inclination, appetite, passion, choice or determination. I once heard it said (or read) that “the heart wants what it wants,” a quote I see attributed to Woody Allen but could have been said by anyone. This is an expression of the will: we want what we want, and we do whatever is necessary and in our own power to make it happen, even if it’s to our own or others’ detriment. So we must guard what we want and seek to align our will with God’s. He has good plans for us to give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). We should “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). We should remember that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17). Be careful what you wish for,” the saying goes, because things don’t always work out the way we expect. God’s will is much better than ours; trust in him and he will make our paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Rich Mullins is a favourite artist of mine and I leave you with this link to his song, Maker of Noses, for reflection. I hope you see the relevancy to our theme and enjoy Rich's writing as much as I do.
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c. Susan Barclay, 2025. For more about Susan and her writing, please visit www.susan-barclay.blogspot.com.
This was a thoughtful post to wake up to this morning, Susan. Thank you for offering some great lines from the Word. I can't say just how often I refer to Philippians 4:8 - it's my go-to yardstick for tracking my thinking - whether or not I'm keeping my thoughts in line with beauty and truth. (And sometimes it is helpful to see an example of how we don't want to be to spur us in the right direction.) Thanks also for those links you shared - I look forward to checking out what you suggested for us.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan. I appreciate your thoughtful words about not giving into thoughts that might not honour God, but to take the time to reflect and evaluate them. Like Brenda, Philippians 4:8 is a verse that has long been my ideal standard for thinking.
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