One day, two men were waiting for a bus to go home. But they found out that they had no money. They realized it too late. Now, though it is quite distant, they have to go home on foot. Now then, what kind of thoughts do you suppose each one had as he walked?
Mr. Negative. 'I was born into a poor family and now I don't have money to afford even bus fare. It's so pathetic!' Thinking like this, his shoulders drooped as though he shouldered all burdens of the whole world and he walked in anger. 'Phew! I am exhausted. I have just passed a bus stop. How many bus stops are there left for me to get home?' When he arrived at home, he was entirely worn out.
Mr. Positive. 'Ah, it's all for the good! It's not so bad. I haven't felt well. It is a good chance to take a walk.'
He is joyfully walking and even running some.
'I have already passed five bus stops. I think I can walk until I pass ten more bus stops.'
When he gets home, his body feels refreshed and he feels light as a feather.
Their thoughts reveal how different the result can be depending on how they think and how they accept the given situation even though they are in identical situations. That is, the way of thinking is an important thing to consider in our lives. However, our thoughts are not changed instantly and neither will they change just because we want to change them.
This is because to change them, the first thing we have to do is to demolish untruthful thoughts and change our hearts. Otherwise, it may seem that you've changed your thoughts but it's only for the moment, and soon the thought will revert to your original way of thinking. Then, what does it mean to change your thoughts and how can you do it?
In a bid to lead a successful life, we need to rule over our hearts and thoughts. Proverbs 8:13 says, "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted mouth, I hate." Only when we hate evil while longing for goodness can we cast away sin and evil and become sanctified. Therefore, our heart's sanctification must be accomplished first, yet at the same time we still need to break off untruthful thoughts.
Step 1. Change into a positive way of thinking!
A positive way of thinking in the Lord refers to not seeing problems or trials in the reality of the situation, but with faith seeing oneself who will be changed through the series of problems and expecting blessings to come after passing through the trials. Let's suppose someone betrayed you. You must not rancor in pain thinking, 'How dare you deceive me?' Instead you'd be much better off trying to realize the love of God, see him with spiritual love, and change the thought. Switch the thought to one along the line of: 'Fleshly love on the earth simply changes depending on its own benefit. But, God the Father's love does not change at all in any kind of situation. That is true love!'
In Philippians 4:12, the apostle Paul said, "I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need." In hardship, Paul learned how to give thanks in everything and feel content. By going through relativity of things, you can grasp true value and be able to give thanks in everything from your heart. Are you stuck in a difficult situation? Then, expect to grow more maturely and have a broader mind that embraces every single thing through the incident.
The same applies when you work for the kingdom of God. If there are no workers who enthusiastically evangelize people and visit the members in your mission, why don't you make it an opportunity to experience the power of God who can make you stronger? When you change your thought in a positive way and recognize God, He will pour blessings upon what you do in faith.
It is to note that while achieving a sanctified heart, you might lose heart and feel disheartened because of evil found in you. Even in this case, think about your future self that will be changed quickly and give thanks. When you see everything with faith in a positive thinking, rejoice, and give thanks, you can receive answers quickly.
Step 2. Replace your current way of thinking!
Habitual pattern of thinking creates automatic reaction when we see something. Suppose you see someone who is extroverted and you think he is acting up. This is because you usually feel that way when you see people like him. Also, if you repeatedly have conflicts with someone, it may be because you do not take notice of their strong points within your own fleshly thoughts, which hinders you from drawing closer to them.
In order to change the way of thinking that interfering fleshly thoughts has formed, try to 'close the door to the thoughts' first. Above all, take an objective view of yourself. Imagine that you are watching yourself and there are doors around you. When untruthful thoughts come to you, close the door to the untruthful thought and change the thought into a spiritual thought.
If you practice it constantly and try to close the doors of thoughts, such thoughts cannot force their way through even a single try of 'closing the door'. Together with the practice, you try to change your thoughts into spiritual thoughts. So, the doorway to fleshly thoughts will vanish and the way to spiritual thoughts will be made open. Of course, it cannot be done with your own willpower. But it is possible only when you pray fervently in the power of the Holy Spirit.
If we stick to our own existing way of thinking it is impossible for us to find spiritual answers. Because you have thoughts in a fleshly way, no matter how trivial things they are, such thoughts have been accumulating and the way to fleshly thoughts has been built. However, if you try to change every thought into positive thoughts no matter how small it is and change your untruthful habitual thoughts into habitual spiritual thoughts, the old way of thinking will be replaced by spiritual thought. When you pray fervently with such an effort, you will be able to experience the power of God in the help of the Holy Spirit.
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