I’ve written before on What Does the Bible Say About Our Thoughts. I’m writing about it now as part of my 31 Days on Bible quotes. I’ll write on it again in the future because it is just so important that we know how our Father wants us to think versus what the world tries to shove into our minds. This is a topic I am serious about. Serious as a heart attack; and I frequently write about daily affirmations as a way to override all the junk we are assaulted with. I know I am using some strong words; I am not just throwing them around carelessly or sensationally. I’m using strong words because the battle for our minds is great. But let me back up…
Bible Quotes: Our Thoughts in the Bible
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When I first wrote about what the Bible says about our thoughts, I shared a little science behind our thoughts. I find it so fascinating I want to share it again. Each thought we have produces a chemical reaction and a pathway through the brain to make it easier for that connection, that thought, to be made again. God is amazing in His design of us! Each time we have the same thought, that little pathway becomes clearer and deeper…really, so convenient and efficient…until we try to make a change. If we’ve been thinking negative, scary, or harmful thoughts, our minds are literally stuck in the ruts of negative thinking. Those energy-efficient pathways start working a little too well. I imagine it as trying to bowl on an uneven lane; no matter where the ball starts, it will always curve the gutter…it will take the easier path. Countless scientific studies have proven this…this is a real deal. But the good news is…we can create new pathways through our brain by changing our thinking. Simple solution, but not always easy. I had literally my entire thought life to redirect. Simple idea…not an easy task.
I wrote previously, “Here’s part of the trickiness of retraining our brain though, we cannot decide not to think about something negative. Instead of deciding what we don’t want to think about, we have to decide what we do want to think about.” And I go on in the post to mention, I grew up watching, listening to, and reading about highly emotional and scary things. So not only were there these thoughts but many of those thoughts were attached to an emotion or a memory. I had to learn to replace those highly attached negative thoughts with an equally if not more emotionally good or positive thought. My default became recalling the birth of my children. An obviously highly emotional and all-around consuming event; I needed something that strong to battle the years of ingrained and deeply dug trenches of negative and scary thinking.
But I also needed something stronger…the Word of God.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
-Hebrews 4:12
I’ve compiled a list of Scriptures that deal with our thoughts and minds. These Scriptures are meant to be used. Use them as a daily affirmation, a personal motto, a life verse, a battle cry…just use them!
…so shall my [God’s] word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
-Isaiah 55:11
This post is a part of my 31 Days series on Bible Quotes.
Bible Quotes Resources
My large print Bible
(This is my go-to Bible. It’s large print and just feels nice in my hands.)
Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: New Testament
(I use this Bible when I’m looking for some more information about the text.)
The Catholic Bible Concordance for the Revised Standard Version
(You want to know where a word is in the Bible? This is the book for you!)
The Great Commentary of Cornelius A’ Lapide
(I use this commentary for more information as well.)
A Practical Commentary On Holy Scripture
(I like this commentary because it also has reflections and applications.)
A few resources about how our minds work and how to change our thinking. A little caveat, I have not read some of these books in years. I don’t remember every little thing that could be in them and I was in an entirely different place than I am today, so I might even view them differently. But they helped me then. More importantly than any book, I sought a counselor by searching “Cognitive Behavior Therapy.” Thanks be to God, he happened to be a Biblical counselor. He taught me to use my weapon, The Word of God
Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind
The 4:8 Principle: The Secret to a Joy-Filled Life
40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life: Living the 4:8 Principle
Brain Lock: Free Yourself from Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior
Rewire Your Anxious Brain: How to Use the Neuroscience of Fear to End Anxiety, Panic, and Worry
*This post has been updated: Word of God Quotes: Transforming Your Thoughts
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