I breathe better in an uncluttered environment, don’t you? When everything is in its place, I can find what I need when I need it. My eyes feel rested when there are no piles to be seen. I don’t have to feel irritated looking around and thinking, Oh, I need to take care of that, or, Oh, goodness, I really need to find the time to some deep cleaning. This is a mess! Those kinds of thoughts are usually followed by, Why can’t you get it together? This is unacceptable!
Environment Influences
In the same way, the environment inside my thought life influences me. If I’m thinking cluttered thoughts of shame for not living up to MY expectations, it’s a given my day is going to go downhill.
When I start my day dwelling on God’s goodness, His protection and His provision for my life, then life is going to seem so much brighter. Yes, challenges will come, but I’ve already reminded myself I’m not alone and He will help just like He has helped me before.
Your Thought Life is Your Domain
Just like you oversee your home and have the right to choose whether you want a minimalist environment, or a baroque or Victorian environment with plenty of beloved collections, or somewhere in between, you take charge of what goes on in your thought life.
You don’t have to dwell on every thought that comes to your mind.
You have the power to take them captive.
We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
1 CORINTHIANS 10:5 NLT
If you look at the entire verse you see the word casting in KJV and destroy in NLT and other versions. In other words, you must put some effort into getting rid of bad thoughts.
I think the best way to do that is to replace them with good thoughts.
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by 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. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
PHILIPPIANS 4:8, 9 – THE MESSAGE
Your inner life is with you always.
Why not make it a God-honoring place full of gratitude and praise? Then, your thought life will influence your feelings. And your journey will go better.
Hey! I’m on a journey. I don’t pretend I’m doing all this perfectly. I’m sharing the goals and dreams I have in my heart in this series, “A Rich and Satisfying Life.” This is my twenty-third post of examining a life free from the clutter of both wrong thoughts, attitudes, expectations, and too-full calendars, as well as physical clutter. You can click here to see all the links to the series.
This series is part of a Write28Days challenge sponsored by Anita Ojeda. The challenge is now over, but I am still working at the goal of writing 28 times on my subject.
This series also closely aligns to my One Word for the Year which is “purge.” I’m on a mission to see both physical and mental clutter be removed from my journey. Purging the clutter from my thought life might well be the most important purge of all!
All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.
I will link to these great communities: Grace & Truth, Inspire Me Monday, InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Tell His Story, Let’s Have Coffee. One Word Link-Up, Grace at Home