Google tells me taboo means “a social or religious custom prohibiting or forbidding discussion of a particular practice or forbidding association with a particular person, place, or thing.”

I wonder what would happen if we put a ban on negative thinking? Wouldn’t it be great if we could build a roadblock in our brains every time a negative thought tried to get through?

For 26 weeks now, we’ve been discussing what it takes to build a rich and satisfying life. Most of my posts end up talking about our mindsets. 

The truth is you get to choose the thoughts you dwell on.

Oh sure, thoughts come and go. I personally believe the enemy observes what makes us uncomfortable and therefore whispers our worst fears into our subconscious on the daily. But remember this, the enemy cannot read our minds. He can only suggest thoughts.

As my husband’s grandma Effie used to say, “Thoughts are like birds. They can fly at your head, but you don’t have to let them build a nest in your hair.” Effie was a very wise lady.

You get to choose what you dwell on. 

CONTAIN THE CLUTTER OF YOUR THOUGHT LIFE

What if you said, “I am not associating with this thought,” every time an ugly thought reared its head? It’s scriptural to be vigilant about weeding out every unproductive thought that crops up. 

Keep your mind clear, and be alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour.

2 Peter 5:8 – God’s Word Translation

It’s up to you. You must make the effort. No one else can do it for you.

DITCH THE DIRT

There are a lot of thoughts that aren’t worth taking up space in the real estate of your mind. They are just dirt tracking up your thought life.

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:2 – King James Version

In the original language, set your affection means exercise your mind. It takes effort to think on right things, but just like working out makes your body stronger and it becomes easier to do tasks, exercising your mind gets easier as time goes on.

FOCUS ON THE FINE

What should be thinking about when we are exercising our minds? In this series, I’ve mentioned replacing the negative thoughts with good ones. My friends in counseling call this “reframing.” I use Philippians 4:8 a lot when talking about focusing on good things; filling the mind with good, true, virtuous thoughts can only lead to good.

And where should we set our affections? On things above! After all, we are going to be in our eternal home much longer than we will ever be on earth. Doesn’t it make sense to dwell on the land you’ll live in most?

BAN BAD THOUGHTS

Forbid negative thoughts to even gain a toe-hold in your spirit. Rebuke them as soon as they arrive and replace with thoughts of your Shepherd and your life to come.

You have an awesome destiny – eternity with Christ!

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-sixth 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.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

I’m linking this post to Grace and Truth, Inspire Me Monday, InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Let’s Have Coffee, Recharge Wednesday, Grace at Home, Tune In Thursday

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