Thinking creates either positive or negative spirals.
There is no way around this.
Positive thoughts lead to more positive thoughts and vice versa.
This places a tremendous responsibility on us to control our thinking not only for the benefit of the present moment but also for the downstream effects that our thoughts will have on us.
We will reap the thoughts we sow.
There is no doubt about the reality that thoughts lead to actions. “We become what we think about”, as Earl Nightingale so frequently stated.
Therefore, we should take the management of our thoughts seriously, not letting our minds run rampant.
If we will eventually act in accordance with the way we think, then we have a responsibility to control the way we are thinking now.
Thought Control
Scientists are learning that while we may not be able to keep out intrusive thoughts by simple willpower, we can crowd out negative thoughts by consciously introducing other thoughts.
The conscious mind can only hold so much information at once in our working memory. Some think this is roughly “7 chunks of information”.
Whatever a “chunk” may be is up for debate, but the point is that our working memory is limited.
Therefore, if we want to get rid of negative thoughts, the most effective way to do this is to crowd them out with positive thoughts.
Since our thoughts can be consciously controlled, we have a major role to play in controlling the downstream actions that result from those thoughts.
We may not always have a good grasp on controlling our emotions [though we should work on it], we can always take the reins of our minds.
Scriptural Support
Philippians 4:8 – “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.”
2 Corinthians 10:5 – “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.”
Colossians 3:2 – “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Proverbs 23:7 – “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”
These are the foundational passages that teach us that we are what we think, that our thoughts influence who we are and what we do, and that we have a responsibility to control our thinking.
I. Thoughts Are The Seeds
A. Seeds
We plant seeds in the mind just like farmers plant seeds in the fields.
They will only harvest the crops they plant.
If they plant corn, they will reap corn.
If they plant tomatoes, they will only reap tomatoes and so on.
Even so, we will only reap the fruits of the thoughts we purposefully sow.
Sometimes we reap more thoughts, but eventually we reap actions.
If we want to reap positive thoughts and actions later, we have to deliberately sow positive thoughts now.
Start when it’s inconvenient.
Start planting seeds when you don’t want to.
Identify the thoughts you want to have and start deliberately thinking about them over and over until it becomes natural.
Plant high quality seeds if you want to reap high quality fruits.
B. The Power of Thoughts
Our thoughts will eventually grow and develop into our actions.
Just like seeds will eventually grow into their full form.
If we don’t want to reap negative thoughts and actions later, we have to control our thoughts when they are small seeds.
II. The Mind Connection
A. Conscious Control
What goes into the mind can be consciously controlled.
We control it by maintaining a constant and steady awareness or what we are thinking.
We start by just observing our thoughts.
Sometimes just by observing our thoughts will help them become more disciplined.
We must mindful of the thoughts we entertain. Whatever thoughts stay in the mind takes root and have time to grow.
Once a thought is grown, it is much more difficult to remove.
B. Developing Positive Thoughts
Take time to consciously plant positive thoughts in your mind.
You may find yourself thinking “I wish I wouldn’t naturally think X”, or “I want my mind to be like Y”.
You can mold your mind so that it thinks the thoughts you want automatically.
This takes a long time, but it can be done.
Identify all the different thoughts you want to have.
Write them all down.
Then take a dedicated amount of time each day, even 5-10 minutes is enough to meditate on those thoughts.
Think those thoughts over and over.
Visualize instances in which you want these thoughts to naturally arise, and see yourself thinking these thoughts in the situation.
Practice having good thoughts in peace so you increase the likelihood of having them during stress.
C. Weeding Out Negative Thoughts
In a similar way, we have to eliminate negative thoughts – especially the ones that arise automatically. The same way we practice introducing positive thoughts,we have to practice eliminating negative thoughts.
This starts with identifying those negative thoughts, specially the ones that seem to repeat over and over.
The problem with these thoughts is that they arise automatically before we are aware of them.
And before we can control them, they have spiraled out of control and damaged our attitude.
First, we identify the reoccurring negative thoughts. Once they are all written down we have to come up with an alternative thought for each one. This new alternative thought will be the one we use to replace the negative thought.
Next we have to increase awareness of our thoughts and identify the negative thoughts as soon as they surface.
III – Intentional Thought Control
We have to be intentional about the thoughts we allow into our minds.
Consistency and Repetition:
We have to be consistent with their practice for it to have any lasting or outsized effects on our life.
Our automatic thoughts are so deeply embedded in the way we think that it will take an extended period of time to change.
To change thoughts is to change entire habits and patterns of thinking.
The Key, then, is to stick with change until the change sticks.
Only then can we rep the benefits of our thoughts instead of suffering the consequences of negative thinking.
