God-Honoring Thoughts

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

I am no encourager. I try, but I really stink at it. I can’t always remember what you said you were going through or what’s been happening in your life. I try. I really do, but this whole lifting up others thing doesn’t come naturally to me.

However, the Bible tells me that’s exactly what I need to be doing. So, I try. I’m sure it’s helped me lose friends along the way, but the most important relationship that it’s hurt is my marriage.

I was reading a devotional this morning that really hit me in my gut. I always seem to focus on the negative. Thomas reminds me of this when I’m nagging, but of course I tell him he’s wrong. Don’t tell him, but he’s right. Seeing the negative comes so easy for me, but that does not help my marriage.

2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” I don’t have to dwell on those negative thoughts. I can take those thoughts into captivity. Just like any other thoughts that are not God-honoring, we can bring them to Jesus. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.” We can make a choice where we let our thoughts go. And the thing about thoughts is that they eventually become our words and actions.

I know that I don’t want some of my negative thoughts to become words. Unfortunately, they have in the past. I’ve said things that I’ve truly regretted because I spent so much time dwelling on the negative.

So today, I’m making a conscious choice to think on the good. There will always be good and bad things I can dwell on. But today I will intentionally look for the good. He’s such a great dad who is so hands-on. He is always willing to run those pesky errands I don’t want to. He is a great grocery shopper and saves me the hassle. All in all, he always tries to make my life easier. He really takes care of me, and I am so thankful for him. I couldn’t imagine life with anyone else.

Maybe you’re like me and you’re a negative Nelly. Make the choice today to have more God-honoring thoughts.