6 Nov – Changing Thought Patterns

According to the National Science Foundation an average person has 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day. 90-95% of those thoughts are repetitive thoughts, which means we are using very little of out thinking ability for new things. Essentially the majority of our thinking is spent going around and around repeatedly on the same thought patterns. Plus studies are finding that 80% of peoples thoughts in a day lean towards the negative, which means many people are stuck in negative thought cycles.

With so many repetitive thoughts that can often be negative, its no wonder God encourages us to renew our minds with what He says. As we begin to focus on His Word and way of living life; on love, hope and faith in God’s goodness, our lives start to be transformed as our thoughts start to become more positive.

God wants to flip the trend and direction of our thoughts to the new; to opportunity, faith, hope and love. Instead of using 95% of our thinking on thoughts we’ve already had, which are often negative, leading to repetitious negative behaviour He wants us to use our thoughts for good and not evil, for focusing on our purpose, on opportunities, on making a positive difference and running our race well.

Today keep a watch on your thoughts. How many new thoughts are you thinking? What are you seeking to discover and learn? What and who are you reading, looking at and listening to? How many times are you thoughts positive and hopeful or negative, self deprecating, and angry?

With God’s help, spending time in His presence and reading His Words in the bible we can flip the 95% repetitive and often negative thoughts to a new way of thinking, processing and living our lives. He wants us to be forward thinking and to be excited about what can happen today. As we change our focus from looking behind and being stuck going over and over the same old thoughts we will start to break repetitive patterns and begin to look ahead, have innovative ideas, become more positive and full of faith, love and hope.

“And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].” (Romans 12:2 AMP)

Prayer: Lord please help me to focus my attention on you and the new things that you have for me. I want to fill my thoughts everyday with hope and an expectation for the future. In Jesus Name Amen.