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Do you ever wish you could quiet the noise in your mind? When you find yourself drifting along with your thoughts in the wrong direction, it’s time to think about what you’re thinking about. It’s not necessarily easy to do, but if you want to realize all that God has planned for your life, then the work is worth it.

Think of it this way, your thoughts are the first stage of who you are. Over time, your thoughts inform your beliefs about yourself and the world around you. If you’re not careful to take every thought captive, your actions will soon follow. 

If you’re tired of feeling disconnected from the vision you have for yourself, then my friend, this episode of The Sister Circle Podcast is the one for you. I’m here to encourage you to take back the power your thoughts have had over you for far too long.

 

Notice when drift happens

Why is it so easy to fall into negative thought patterns? Well, simply put, it’s human nature to focus on the bad and fail to see the good. Even in a garden full of beautiful flowers, it’s the weeds that stand out most. However, you can shift from a posture of mindlessly wandering through life to becoming a mindful and intentional person. When a thought rises up, pay attention to it. Write it down in a planner, journal, notebook, or your phone. Without judgment, keep a record of what naturally comes to mind throughout the course of your day. 

Deal with the drift

One day, you look up and realize that you’re not any closer to the dream that God placed in your heart years ago. Maybe you stumble upon a note you wrote to yourself about going back to school. Maybe you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror and feel like the girl you used to be is far from reach. Let me tell you, I’ve been there. And just as sure as your thoughts can keep you in that low place, I know for sure that your thoughts can help you rise above it all. Don’t rush past this step. Before you can implement change in your life, you have to know what to change. Take notice when your thoughts begin to inform how you show up in the world.

Refocus your thoughts

As you begin to keep track of what you focus on, ask yourself this question: “How does this thought line up with God’s truth?” With some practice, this will become second nature for you. Once you start refocusing your thoughts, you’ll find yourself:

  • Reflecting on life from a place of gratitude rather than despair
  • Living in the present moment rather than the past or the future
  • Surrounding yourself with voices that reinforce what God says about you

That last point is key. When you find yourself filled with anxiety or hopelessness, it’s good to take inventory of the people you allow to speak into your life. Whether that be your family, friends, or people on social media, it’s important to take note of it all. And when necessary, let go of anything feeding the lies from the enemy.

As Scripture advises us, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8 NLT)

Align your actions with the truth

Now this is where the rubber meets the road. It’s one thing to confront your thoughts, but it’s another thing to begin to do the things required to get closer to your destination. 

Begin with the end in mind. If you want to live a healthier life, you can reverse engineer that goal by making wiser food choices each day, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and drinking more water. But it all begins with the thought that a healthier life is possible for you. 

I know when you’re faced with real challenges, your thoughts about your situation can sound like the truth. But let me tell you, when you have the faith to call those things that are not as though they are (Romans 4:17), you will begin to see a shift in your life. And it will happen, one thought at a time.

 

Highlights from Today’s Episode

  • Eliminating distractions in order to focus
  • Slowing down to be present
  • Having a clear vision for your life

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Let’s Talk!

  1. Take note of your thoughts for one day. What do you think about the most? 
  2. What is one negative thought (a lie) that you can replace with a positive thought (the truth)?
  3. Which distractions cause your mind to drift? How can you minimize these distractions in your life?

 

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