What are you thinking about?

Editor’s note: This is a reprinted column from Jack Purcell’s “On the Journey” archives. It originally appeared in The Star in 2013.

I am frequently reminded of how important what we think about is and how that relates to our well-being. I believe it can be a dangerous practice for the many who have never learned to think for themselves but far too often let their lives be directed by the thoughts and beliefs of others.

We ought always to be measuring the things we are hearing, and the thoughts that we allow ourselves to dwell on, by the word of God.

We can turn on television, listen to talk radio or read the newspaper and absorb every kind of thinking, except for what is wholesome or in line with what Scripture says.

I have a habit of reading the letters to the editor in the San Antonio newspaper. It is quite entertaining, right up there with the cartoons. So many letters are so ill-informed and many of our citizens have magically turned opinion into fact. If you slide over to the editorial page you find that many there have done the same thing.

So my question is what are you allowing to influence your thinking and do you think critically about what you are taking in?

In Philippians 4:7-8 the apostle Paul gives us some clear direction on how we can choose to think.

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 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.”

This passage of Scripture is very instructive and very clear. Paul doesn’t say we are to go around all day quoting Scripture or trying to think about God. He just says simply, think on the things that fit with your identity as a believer in Jesus Christ.

So when you have time to think about things other than your work or the task at hand, where do your thoughts go?

What about when things are not going as planned or as you would like? Do your thoughts line up with the list in Philippians or are they contrary to those healthy thought patterns?

I find this difficult because for so long I have allowed my mind to go places that are sometimes dark and self-serving. It seems to be so much easier to think of things that are not so pure or lovely or just and true.

Later in the same chapter we gain some insight into how Paul approached this difficult issue. The Message translation says it this way, “Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.”

That is a statement of faith.

Paul, who endured incredible hardships, was able to keep his focus on the one whose life was his life. Even in prison he was encouraging those on the outside. He did not give himself permission to think on things that would drag him down.

In the future, why not take responsibility for where you let your thoughts take you and see if it makes a difference in your attitude and outlook?