What Were You Thinking?

There are no random acts of violence. A person may act violently but the act of violence comes gradually. They don't hurt others after many years of being model citizens with benevolent thoughts for everyone. The spent years thinking that they were being mistreated, unappreciated or hated. They wanted to strike back. These acts of violence are their way of doing so. 

This is no justification for the acts. There were other things they could have done. Ultimately, they had to make decisions to go one direction or the other. There are other people who grew up in much worse conditions that these violent people who are loving, caring and generous people. What makes the difference? I believe the difference comes in what each one dwells on in their thoughts.

I have found that people who think of failing more than succeeding will generally fail. You will probably fumble the ball if all you can think of is fumbling the ball. You will strike out if all you can think of is striking out. Our thoughts precede our actions.

People generally entertain affairs in their minds before they actually start one. They generally think lovingly of another person before they do something that reflects that love. They think of robbing the bank before robbing it. They think others have mistreated them before they mistreat others. The way they think is the way they act.

I had a lady tell me that she had been a heavy smoker but the Lord had taken that away from her. She told me that the Lord told her that He would heal her of this addiction. The next day when she picked up a cigarette the thought came to her mind, "What are you doing? You don't smoke." She said she never smoked again.

Yes, she was cured of this addiction by the Lord. Yet, I was also fascinated that her whole thought process changed. She no longer saw herself as a smoker.  Yes, I believe the Lord helped her. I believe He changed her whole thought process. I believe that was the cure she needed.

Your day will be determined by what you think. You can choose to simply react to the circumstances of the day or you can choose to think in ways that will allow you to rise above these circumstances. The way this day turns out will largely depend on how you think.

Well, is it going to be a great day? You bet it is!

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.