Shaping Up
We all have moments that remind us of our need to shape up. It might be a quick walk up a flight of stairs that leaves us winded or a day of yard work that leaves us sore, but the message is loud and clear, “You’re out of shape!”
How you ever noticed how easy it is to get out of shape? It takes no effort at all! Getting out of shape is a piece of cake (or more literally, lots of cake)! Getting into shape is what takes work. It requires discipline and commitment.
Just as our bodies easily get out of shape, so do our minds. Bad thinking habits, bad input, and mental inactivity leave us with flabby, weak, wearying and wicked thoughts. And when our thinking “goes south,” so does our life.
Take a look at what God says about the importance of shaped-up thinking:
“Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” — Proverbs 4:23 (TEV)
” … fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable … And the God of peace will be with you.” – Philippians 4:8, 9
The Bible says that our “life is shaped by our thoughts.” To “shape” something is “to form it; to determine the nature of something.”
Everyday the quality of our lives, relationships and work is determined by what we allow to go on in our heads. Who and what we are, how we act and react is shaped by our thoughts.
The equations are simple:
Good thinking = good shape.
Bad thinking = bad shape.
Since our lives are shaped by our thoughts, we ought to regularly inspect who and what we allow to shape our thoughts. We need to pay close attention to who and what we permit to “get into our heads.” We need to establish some ground rules that govern the influences that have impact on our thinking.
Sadly, very few people think about their thinking habits. They don’t understand that the quality of their lives would be significantly improved if they trained their brain more carefully and controlled the input to their minds more conscientiously.
Take some time and think about the shape of your thinking. What is shaping your thoughts and how are your thoughts shaping your life? Make the commitment to shape up your mental habits and health. You’ll be blessed as you do!
Dale O'Shields
For more information, visit the Church of the Redeemer's website.
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