Someone asked me recently if I really thought that what we say to ourselves is that relevant. A few years ago, my daughter was working on a drama monologue, involving the two personalities of Gollum, from Lord of the Rings. Watching the movies and then listening to her practice, I realised that it illustrates the effect of the conversations in our heads. Each character represents one side of the conversation, we may not have the split personality of Gollum, but we speak from a negative viewpoint, or a positive faith filled viewpoint.
Each viewpoint has its own perspectives and motivations, its own weaknesses and strengths. As the story develops, it is the voice that the Gollum chooses to listen to, that shapes his behavior.
The loudest voice wins!
The viewpoint we consistently choose to listen to, be it positive or negative shapes our lives. The saying “As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is,” suggests that we are what we think, and Mahatma Gandhi felt that:
“Your beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values,Your values become your destiny.”
As we choose the voice to listen to, it has a real impact on who we are and what we do.
Furthermore, if you change your thoughts; it will change your beliefs and consequently change dialogue, actions, habits, values and destiny.
Our thoughts are the origin of everything about us and shape us for our future.
Scripture is very clear on where our thinking must start.
Phil 4:8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Emphasis mine)
Thinking produces thinking patterns, which become thinking habits, then translate into motivations, which result in actions and words that shape our lives.
One of the first insights we gain as new believers, is not to conform to this world and it’s thinking, but to be transformed by the “renewing of our minds” (Rom 12:2) and to change the way we think. We as believers “take captive every thought that sets itself up against God’s truth” (2 Cor 10:5)
The conversation in our head is relevant to our lives.
What voice speaks louder in your head? The negative viewpoint, or the positive faith filled viewpoint?
Lord, help me to shape my thinking based on Your word, the truth. Forgive me for all the times I have let poor thinking persist. Make Your word the starting point and foundation of my thinking processes. Help me to recognize thinking that is destructive to myself and others and help me be willing to make the necessary changes. Transform my mind Lord to bring faith filled thinking into my mind.
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