I believe in having a “think session” every day. If we were to sit down regularly and say to ourselves, “I am going to think about a few things for a few minutes,” and then deliberately think about some of the things the Bible tells us to think about, our lives would improve dramatically. Disciplining ourselves to think properly by having “on-purpose think sessions” will train us to begin thinking properly in our everyday lives.
There are thoughts you need to think every day in order to set your mind and keep it set, renew your mind, and gird up the loins of your mind. I am going to share some of those thoughts with you and help you understand how incredibly powerful they are. For example, one of the things all believers need to think every day is this biblical truth: I am in right standing with God. Let me ask you, can you see anything at all wrong with thinking such a thought several times a day? I certainly can’t! Why not think something on purpose that will benefit you rather than merely meditating on whatever happens to fall into your mind? We use our thinking abilities every day, but most of us need to change the content of our thoughts. Instead of thinking, I’m no good; I mess up everything; I never do anything right, we can use our mental energy to think about how much God loves us and how we are in a right relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.
Or, think about how much more effectively you could overcome fear in your life if you took time to think, I will not be afraid; I will not let fear control me; I know it will come from time to time, but even if I have to do something of which I’m afraid, I am going to do it. This would be a way of setting your mind and keeping it set against fear. Then, when faced with the temptation to be afraid, you would be better able to resist.
As you spend more time thinking correctly, great transformation will take place in your life. You might have to put notes around your house saying “What have you been thinking today?” You might have to put a note in your car to remind you to think right thoughts today—or even write out what those thoughts are and post them on a mirror or on your computer screen. This type of exercise would not be uncommon for a college student facing final exams. They do everything they can do to keep the right answers in front of them prior to the test to assure that they graduate. If you will discipline yourself to remind yourself to spend time thinking right thoughts on purpose for several minutes each day, you will find things improving so radically you will be absolutely amazed. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying the good life God has predestined for you. For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. (Ephesians 2:10)
Think about It
How can you work a ten-minute “think session” into your daily routine?
Empty Fort Strategy
In the Chinese historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, author Luo Guanzhong describes the “Empty Fort Strategy,” a use of reverse psychology to deceive the enemy. When 150,000 troops from the Wei Kingdom reached Xicheng, which had less than 2,500 soldiers, they found the city gate wide open and the famous military tactician Zhuge Liang calmly playing the zither with two children beside him. The Wei general, baffled by the scene and believing it was an ambush, ordered a full retreat.
The Bible offers another example of a bewildering battle strategy. In Judges 7, God had Gideon use 300 men, horns, jars, and blazing torches against armies that were “as numerous as locusts; and their camels were without number” (v.12).
Could Israel defeat such a formidable foe? It was humanly impossible! They had neither the manpower nor the military hardware. But they had one thing that worked for them and that was all they needed. They had God’s promise: “With these 300 men I will rescue you and give you victory” (v.7 nlt). The result? Victory!
Are you facing a formidable challenge? The Lord has said, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jer. 32:27).
With God, all things are possible.
Read: Judges 7:2-8
Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?
Bible in a Year:
Numbers 9-11; Mark 5:1-20
