Power-filled Positive Living-Chapter 20B—Thoughts of the Heart-The Positive Thinking that Matters
Knowing Christ as my Savior doesn’t automatically transform me into this positive thinking, joyous person; although, it should. All one has to do is to meet a few Christians to know that; yet, we have been given everything that we need to be “always rejoicing.” So, why aren’t we? Is there some kind disconnect inside our brain between knowing the truth of our position in Christ and really embracing it fully? We have all heard the stories of someone living like a pauper and upon their death it is discovered within their home millions of dollars stashed away. They were rich; yet, they never enjoyed the benefits of those riches.
As Christians, we are richly blessed with spiritual blessings; yet, often live our lives as though we are spiritual paupers. “28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40).
There has been a huge movement among the psychologists toward “positive thinking” and much has been said that contributes this to Western philosophers such as “Buddha” or “Confucius.” Although, they weren’t really the first to recognize the importance of how man thinks; because, the Bible is filled with that very truth. Regarding man’s thoughts, God has written; “7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23). In fact the idea of how important our thoughts are goes back to the very beginning of mankind, when Adam and Eve saw the fruit, desired to be like God, became discontented, and disobeyed God. “The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity” (Psalm 94:11). “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). One discontented thought in the mind of Eve—well, we know what happened. Yet, look at how God describes the thoughts of man as being “thoughts of his heart.”
This bids us to consider the “thoughts of the heart.” Our brains are processing “data” continuously; what we see, what we hear, and what we read. Like a giant computer, our brains process, sort and file all this data into categories. We choose to discard into a “garbage” file those things we disagree with. All seems to be organized, except we then attach emotions, feelings, and attitudes to each bit that we allow into our brains. Here is where “our hearts” come into play. There, in the central core of our being, is that which pulsates life through our veins- our hearts. Spiritually, that also is true. We are spiritually dead with a soul that is continuously in a state of dying until our hearts are brought alive to pump life giving blood through our spiritual veins. In Christ, we are made alive. If we feed junk to our physical bodies, the arteries become blocked with “plaque.” The same can be true spiritually. If I allow my thoughts to be filled with “junk”, plague builds and I cannot feel the joy, hope, and peace that are actually mine. So, I do need to feed on the truth—the promises of God, the truth of who He is and the truth of who I am in Christ. Just as the body needs nourishing food, so does the spirit. Paul so aptly reminded us of that very truth in Philippians 4: “4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
So, yes; I wholeheartedly agree that our positive living begins with positive thinking. My question began at the beginning of this book was “where is the power source of that positive thinking?” Is there anything in me that has the power to transform me? The mind being such a powerful thing; after all, we were given “free will” to choose. Yet, I know that the only positive thinking that has the power to transform the thoughts of my heart to be filled with contentment, joy, hope, peace, and love are found in Christ and nowhere else. In Christ, I am God’s blessed, chosen, beloved child—heir of all His promises, covered in His righteousness.
So, you might ask; how do I find that kind of peace and joy? God so desires to lavish upon you His love, His joy, and His glory; if you would just ask Him into your heart. “The Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee” (I Chronicles 28:9).
So let me end with this song, In Christ Alone which was written by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty. The power of Christ in you and the the power that is yours in Christ.
The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header is Ronald Barba. Please go to his website ( http://www.barba-art.com) for information regarding obtaining copies or to commission him to create a masterpiece for you. Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects and to discuss pricing.
©2015 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.