3 Ways to Take Control of Your Thoughts
Is your cup half full or half empty? Either way you look at it, it's the same amount. However, the view you have of the cup changes how you approach the cup. Two people can experience the same event, but one person will get stuck in the pain of the event while the other person moves ahead. What is the difference between the two people? It is their thought life. For you see, learning to take control of your thoughts is a skill that changes your life.This is also true with current events. If you are watch the news or scroll through Facebook, what you read about COVID-19, George Floyd, protests, and riots can leave you feeling overwhelmed, fearful, and anxious. But, I will challenge you and ask is our nation in turmoil or is there something greater that is happening? In other words, the way you view a situation impacts you.For you see, the choice of how you view circumstances is up to you, and you can learn to take control of your thoughts. In the next few paragraphs, I'm going to discuss three things you can incorporate into your life to start changing your thoughts.
#1 Surrender Every Thought to Jesus
The first thing you can do to take control of your thoughts is to learn to recognize thoughts. For you see, not every thought that enters your mind is worthy of your time and attention. As a thought enters your mind, it must be met at the gate for you to analyze and decide if you will allow it in.Most importantly, we must remember what the Apostle Paul tells us: we must take every thought captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Bringing our thoughts to Jesus is bringing our thoughts to obedience. Remember, when Jesus is Lord of your life, He will transform you, including your thought life. When a thought enters your mind, take a moment and say, "Lord, help me with this thought." By doing this, you will be learning to take control of your thoughts.
Related Post: How to Change the Narrative of Your Life
#2 Gain a Different Perspective
The second thing you can do to take control of your thoughts is to look at the situation differently. For many of us, it is easy to see only one side of the situation. For example, I'm subscribed to a blog, and I receive their daily emails. During early April, my emails ceased, and I assumed operations stopped due to COVID-19. Recently, I visited the website only to discover that the blogs didn't stop, but my emails had. For you see, things are not always what they seem, and just because you can't see it, doesn't mean that it's not there. Therefore, take time and explore all directions of your thoughts, seeking wisdom from others, for it may lead to new possibilities that you didn't know where there.
#3 Do Something
The third thing you can do is to do something. For instance, if you crave chocolate, experts say wait ten minutes, and if you still want chocolate after ten minutes, then eat a piece. For experts know that if we distract ourselves in that moment, we'll find we are no longer interested in chocolate.In other words, if thoughts enter your mind that you don't want to think about, tell yourself, you can think about them in ten minutes, but in the meantime, you cannot. While you are waiting ten minutes, allow yourself to think different thoughts, thoughts that are good and wholesome.As the Message translation states, "...filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse..." Philippians 4:8-9If you practice this with your thoughts, you will find, with time and practice, that you will take control of your thoughts. Today, take charge over your mind and over your thoughts and change the way you view your world.