WHAT’S WEARING GROOVES IN YOUR MIND?

People have always needed to be careful stewards of their own minds. Today this is more important and challenging than ever. But it’s essential. It’s essential that you be careful about the thoughts you allow into your mind, and how long you allow them to stay there. Teach your children this and remind yourself constantly of it.

Know this: Our minds are going to dwell on certain thoughts just as long and only as long as we allow them to dwell on them. The longer we dwell on certain thoughts the deeper groove they are going to make in our minds. At some point a certain line of thinking will become so deeply embedded in us that it will be almost impossible, if at all possible, to get rid of it. This can be a long term blessing or a long time disaster.

You probably won’t read anything more worthy of becoming one of your 2023 New Year’s resolutions than this: “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” (Phil. 4:8).

When bad thoughts come to mind don’t feel guilty about it, but get rid of them. You can’t help it if a bird flies above your head, but there’s something wrong with you if you let it linger long enough to build a nest in your hair. Fill your mind with good, happy, encouraging and exciting thoughts. Make them stay there as long as you can and give them as much long-term company as you can. Benjamin Disraeli said, “Nurture your mind with great thoughts, for you never can rise any higher than you think.” That’s true.