We hear so many motivational speakers say that we need to change our thought life. They say we need to speak positive aspirations to ourselves. Speak what we want to happen in our lives as if it already has happened. They say it is vital to our success in life.

But what does the bible have to say about our thought life? My pastor gave a timely message this morning concerning the things we think about. As I listened and took notes, I was inspired to share some of his points with you.

Pastor Steve has been doing a series for several weeks now on “The Pursuit of Happiness” and today’s topic was “Happy People Pursue Good Thinking.”  He went on to talk about thinking good thoughts, referencing Philippians 4:8-9 which says, “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.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard of me–put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.”

That’s a lot of happy stuff there.  I decided to look up definitions for each word: 

True:  Consistent with fact or reality; not false or erroneous; steadfast, loyal, honest, just.
Noble:  Possessing outstanding qualities; of high birth or exalted rank; grand or impressive especially in appearance. 
Right: Righteous, upright, suitable, appropriate, genuine, real.
Pure:  Unmixed with any other matter; being thus and no other; free from moral fault or guilt.
Lovely:  Delightful for beauty, harmony, or grace; eliciting love by moral or ideal worth. 
Admirable:  Deserving the highest esteem.
Excellent:  Superior, eminently good.
Praiseworthy:  Applaudable, commendable, creditable, meritorious, admirable.

One thing Pastor Steve said that really encouraged me was that God wouldn’t tell us to change our thinking if it wasn’t possible to do it.  Even when bad thoughts seem to haunt us, if we replace those thoughts with true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy thoughts, we can surely change them!!  We do this by reading God’s word, filling our minds and hearts with His thoughts.  His thoughts and His ways are higher than ours and we can allow His thoughts from His word to permeate our thinking and drive bad, ugly, untrue thoughts away.

Happiness comes when our thoughts align with His thoughts.

Thanks Pastor Steve!