Over the past months, I’ve spent time with friends and talked to a number of people who were truly struggling with their thought life. Encumbered by thoughts of anxiety, hopelessness, discouragement, and even depression, these sweet friends were left feeling hopeless.
But you know what? Our God does not desire for us to live that way! What a blessing to serve a God Who, instead, wants us to rest in Him, knowing that there’s no thought He cannot soothe and heal!
As I reflected on these conversations, I couldn’t help but think of how important our thought life is to each of us. Though some of us may experience these feelings more than others, all of us can be renewed, refreshed, and filled with hope by abiding in our Lord and His Word.
Daily overwhelmed by anxious thoughts? Thoughts of hopelessness and despair? Feeling alone in your struggle?
Well, no better time to find hope & healing for those hurts and sorrows, right? So let’s look together at 5 ways we can all live out God’s grace – one thought at a time!
1. Filter our thoughts moment-by-moment.
Philippians 4:8 is a perfect filter: “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.”
~Once we filter our current destructive thoughts through Philippians 4:8, we are on our way to focusing our attention on healthy, God-honoring thoughts.
2. Think about the potential areas we need to take captive.
anger comparison gossip lying
pride negativity deceit guilt
attitude depression discontentment shame
3. Have a purposed plan.
~We need to actually sit down and prayerfully commit to live out God’s grace one thought at a time.
II Corinthians 10:5 is a perfect place for us to start! “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”
~Remember, it’s important for us to capture every negative thought with God’s help before they take root and become part of our everyday thinking. That’ll allow our minds to be instead led by Christ!
4. Prepare to avoid our temptations.
~God has given us His Word and the power of the Holy Spirit to help us in our battles. Even in the moments we’re tempted, we can pray for God’s help to keep our thoughts pure.
~We can always look to Christ’s example for encouragement. “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
5. When we find ourselves tempted, we should claim God’s Word.
~James 4:7 reminds us to “submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you,” and
~Isaiah 26:3 reinforces the power focusing on God and His Word, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
You know what? If we live out God’s grace one thought at a time, we’ll daily be transformed into the person God wants us to be.
With God’s help, that means that we can live out Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” and Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Living out God’s grace is an intentional process, but we’re not alone. Ever. Our heavenly Father is with us, strengthening, encouraging, loving, and forgiving as we endeavor to live out His grace one thought at a time.
He is truly our portion and strength (Psalm 73:26).
Recent Comments