Internal dialogue is powerful. Whether we realize it or not, our thoughts are the most influential aspect of our lives. Think about it. Our thoughts occupy center stage in our mind twenty-four hours a day. What else, or who else, has that degree of influence over us?
Perhaps that’s why the Bible has so much to say about our thought life. For better or worse, our thoughts guide our lives. It’s impossible to live a positive life if we are negative thinkers. Thankfully, if we struggle with our thought life, it’s possible to improve.
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote in Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Curses, “Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself? Take those thoughts that come to you the moment you wake up in the morning. You have not originated them, but they start talking to you, they bring back the problem of yesterday, etc. Somebody is talking. Who is talking to you? Your self is talking to you.”
It’s liberating when we realize we don’t have to be stuck with negative thinking patterns. Rather, it’s possible to guide and instruct our thought life, and as Lloyd-Jones suggests, take the initiative by choosing what we dwell on. He goes on to write, “The main art in the matter of spiritual living is to know how to handle yourself. You have to take yourself in hand, you have to address yourself, preach to yourself, question yourself.”
This is not a wacky heresy coming from an afternoon talk show. Also, it shouldn’t be confused with positive thinking. It’s a biblical concept that results in biblical thinking.
For example, when David found himself in a dire situation and the people were talking about stoning him, rather than panicking, the text says, “But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God” (1 Sam 30:6).
Notice how this passage makes it clear that David shifted his thoughts away from the threat of being stoned and onto God. David understood that God is in control of all things, and it greater than any threat, so he wisely shifted His focus to God.
Practically speaking, what does it mean for us?
First, we need to identify our negative thought patterns and replace them with the biblical truth. For instance, if like David, we find ourselves dealing with fear, it would be wise to rely heavily on a passage like Isaiah 41:10. Sometimes I take it one step further and personalize the passage as I meditate on it. When I’m tempted to worry or cave in to fear, I might say to myself something like this:
I will not fear “xyz” because God is with me. I refuse to be dismayed because He is my God. He will give me strength to face “xyz.” God will help me with “xyz” He will hold me up with His righteous right hand.
As Christ followers, we have no reason to be victims of our thinking. We are commanded to reject lies, fear, and negativity and replace them with the promises of God. We can’t rely on anyone to do this for us. Remember, we’re always going to be thinking about something. Let’s be sure our thoughts are true.
I’ll leave you with the words from the Apostle Paul, “Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2).
