We’ve been talking a lot about our thoughts and the power they have to determine the course and direction of our lives. Interestingly, the way we think is directly correlated to the words we say to ourselves. Just as we talked about labels and how the things we ascribe to other people have power, so it is with the words we speak to our own soul. The things we say to ourselves often materialize in the form of emotions. 

It’s interesting when you read the Hebrew Bible that there is no word translated mind. Although in English we would say that thoughts come from our mind, the only place from which they come in Biblical terms is the heart. This is because, in Old Testament times, the heart was the ruling center of the person, and encompassed not only mind and intellect but also emotions and feelings. This is why Proverbs says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” It’s impossible to deal with our thoughts without taking into account our intellect and our emotions, because they are inseparable. In order to understand the way we think, we have to understand our will and the feelings that drive us. This is especially true as it pertains to compulsive behaviors such as addiction.

Friend, I encourage you to remember that you don’t just think with your mind, but also with your heart. Being aware of how you feel and understanding the reasons why is a key to cultivating lasting change in your thought patterns. You are an integrated being and your heart is the control center of your life. Although you need a steering wheel, a gear shifter, an engine and many other parts to make a car run, without a key in the ignition, you don’t have access to its power. Similarly, thoughts are powerful, but being aware of your emotions is the key to unlocking their strength. To have the mind of Christ, it’s vital to bring your whole being into His light — mind, spirit, and feelings!