What's on Your Mind Today?

If there's one thing I've learned as I've studied God's Word over the years, it's how much of an impact our thoughts have on our lives. Our thoughts are vitally important and play a huge role in fulfilling your God-given potential and having the life Jesus died to give you.

I know this is true because learning to trust what God says in His Word more than what I think or feel or what others say—or even what my experiences have been—has transformed my life in amazing ways!

If I had dwelled on negative, bitter, worried thoughts, I would have lived a negative, bitter, worried life.

But when you choose to focus on positive, faith-filled, joyful thoughts based on God's Word, you are going to live a positive, faith-filled, joyful life—the life Jesus came to give you!

The Word of God says it this way: For as he thinks in his heart, so is he . . . (Proverbs 23:7 AMP). Here's how this principle works: When you go through the day thinking about God's goodness, you are going to see His goodness all around you.

If you wake up wondering, Who can I help today?, you are going to discover new chances to bless people and be blessed in return. If you choose to think about the ways God has provided in the past, you're going to be filled with hope and faith that He'll do it again. It's a principle straight from God's Word.

I like to say it like this: Where the mind goes, the man follows. You may be reading this and thinking, Joyce, you don't know what I'm dealing with right now. I can't help but be worried, afraid or angry. It's all I can think about. I understand that "thought."

I want you to try this: The next time you notice yourself thinking the same old negative things, choose to replace those thoughts with truth from God's Word. For instance, if you feel like giving up, decide to think things like: I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength. God will never give up on me, so I won't quit. I can make it to the finish line (Philippians 4:13; Deuteronomy 31:6; Galatians 6:9)!

I may not know the exact details of your situation, but I do understand what it's like to have your mind preoccupied, or even overwhelmed, with negative thoughts because of a painful circumstance.

You may know my story. I was sexually abused by my father for many years. That abuse affected me mentally and emotionally well into adulthood. My thoughts were bitter, angry, fearful and filled with self-pity. And these toxic thoughts affected every other part of my life. I was unhappy. I didn't trust people. I was always afraid someone was going to hurt or disappoint me.

But when I started to seriously study God's Word, He began to show me something that I want to personalize for you today. God really does have a great plan for your life, but you have to learn how to agree with Him in your thinking in order to receive it. This is why Romans 12:2 says to 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 (NIV).

That's the kind of life I want to live and I know you do too. The key question is, How can I be transformed by the renewing of my mind? And it's a good question to ask. It's something that God has been teaching me since I began really studying His Word in 1976. And it's something I continue to learn about even now.

It's so exciting because the more I've discovered how to line up my thoughts with God's promises, the more peaceful, stable and joyful my life has become. I want you to have that experience too! I can honestly say that what the Lord has taught me about my thoughts over the past 40 years has literally changed my life...and I know it can do the same for you.

We can truly change and become more like Christ as we renew our minds with God's Word. Our thoughts are the forerunners for our words, our attitudes, and our decisions—they even affect our relationships and how we see ourselves and other people.

Remember, the thoughts you think determine the life you live. So, decide today to set your mind on what God says. You'll be so glad you did!