This quote from Dr. David Burns, really resonated in my heart when I heard him say it. To think that our thoughts are containers with creative power, is so startling in some ways. We forget that our thoughts lead us up and down paths. Some are wonderful and full of joy and love, while others are dark and destructive. The irony is we choose what we will keep in our thoughts.
We can pick and choose at will what is stored there. When someone speaks harshly to us, curses us, wounds us in any manner, we can choose to hold resentful thoughts. We can even choose to go further and choose vengeful angry thoughts against that person or people group. We could decide to forgive that person or persons and be set free of the power of their words against us. Jesus who had all reason in the world to hate those who crucified him, chose to forgive them. If He can do that, we can too. It is a place of surrender to Holy Spirit in us, that allows us to forgive and release others. We choose….we choose…not anyone else. We are in control of that area of our lives.
The Bible has a lot to say about our thoughts. God gave us the ability to think. We are not robots, but rather created in His image with the creative power over thoughts, words and deeds in our lives. He also gave us a lot of Scriptures to help us control and use those abilities in the correct manner.
Here are some Scriptures to help us:
Job 20:2 (NKJV)
“Therefore my anxious thoughts make me answer,
Because of the turmoil within me.”
Psalm 10:4 (NKJV)
” The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God;
God is in none of his thoughts.”
Proverbs 12:5 (NKJV)
” The thoughts of the righteous are right,
But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.”
Proverbs 16:3 (NKJV)
” Commit your works to the Lord,
And your thoughts will be established.”
Isaiah 55:7 (NKJV)
” Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.”
Jeremiah 6:19 (NKJV)
” Hear, O earth!
Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people—
The fruit of their thoughts,
Because they have not heeded My words
Nor My law, but rejected it.
O earth!
Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people—
The fruit of their thoughts,
Because they have not heeded My words
Nor My law, but rejected it.”
Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)
” 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.”
Romans 12:3 (NKJV)
” For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”
Psalm 7:9 (NKJV)
“Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end,
But establish the just; For the righteous God tests the hearts and minds.”
