In his famous essay “As a Man Thinketh,” James Allen made an incredible statement that has become familiar to many of us. He said, “Men imagine that a thought can be kept secret, but it cannot. It rapidly crystallizes into habit, and habit solidifies into circumstance.” You see, if you nurture a certain type of thinking, it will not remain hidden; the more you dwell on something, the more it will make itself apparent in every aspect of your life. When your thoughts are filled with unforgiveness and bitterness, you will not have good relationships. If you are always putting yourself down and feeling shame, you will have a hard time succeeding in your work, receiving the Lord’s love in your spiritual life, and letting people into your world. Thankfully, positive change is entirely possible, and our amazing God has given us a better way!

Friend, the Lord wants to change your thinking so you can boldly and brightly bear His Name to those around you. This is why the Apostle Paul made it clear, especially in the book of Romans, that a life of discipleship starts with disciplined thoughts. In order for the “depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God” to take root and bear fruit in your life, you need a means by which to attain them, and that means is a transformed mind. Your thoughts and meditations are a conduit of the presence and power of Jesus; in other words, what you dwell on plays out in attitudes and behaviors that make Him evident to those around you! Purpose in your heart to embark on the journey of thinking about what you think about and then submit wrong thoughts to Him. As you do this, I believe that amazing things will happen; He will meet you there and it will be very good!