Do Not Think

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

– 2 Corinthians 10:5

There are countless times when things get bad, I tend to blame other people rather than examining myself and my actions. We are absolutely wrong if we always think that we are blameless and we always deserve the good and the best. The more we think of ourselves, we become selfish and inconsiderate of others. Our actions are normally influenced by the way we think, so we have to watch our thoughts because they can become words, and words can become actions, actions can become character, and character can become our lifestyle, and our lifestyle can attract negative or positive energies. If you desire a positive change in your life that will change even the lives of people around you, here’s what you need to know:

Do not think that you can ignore God’s calling and duty. A bible character named Esther, cousin of Mordecai, both living in Babylon as a captive by Nebuchadnezzar did not return to Jerusalem with the other expatriates during the time they were given the chance to go home. Do you begin to see why they did not return to Jerusalem? God wanted to use them in His plan to save the Jews in Persia from extinction. God orchestrated things and events during that time and placed Esther as Queen to King Xerxes’ throne, a successor to Queen Vashti. One day, there was a royal decree issued calling for the massacre of all the Jews. Mordecai, hearing of this decree, pleads with Esther to intercede with the king, affirming that this could well be the reason why she finds herself in the royal palace. Esther’s plan is to keep quiet so in Ether 4:13-14 Mordecai warned Esther thru a letter, “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” We are placed in a position of power or position of influence for a purpose.

Do not think that you are favored and blessed for you to enjoy alone. Romans 12:3 instructs, “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” You are part of a system, and you should function as a member of that system. We are living with unfortunate people, and we have the obligation to help the weak and the needy among us. We have obligation to the troubled, and obligation to those who worked for us. Galatians 6:6 says, “Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.”

If you are blessed with good things, there is always a purpose for it. You are here for a purpose. If you are experiencing hardships in life, think why you are in such situation. When times are bad, you must think. Ephesians 2:10 tells us, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” We have obligation for each other. We are God’s workmanship created to do good works. You are part of a system; you are part of a family, of a society. You are part of the body of Christ, and you should function as one. Ecclesiastes 12:14 says, “For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”

Do not think that good things are just for you. The moment you think that you don’t deserve bad things that are happening, be warned. When things get bad, consider and think. Most of the time, it’s the result of our wrong way of thinking. Matthew 3:9 says, “And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.”

Do not think evil for other. Romans 12:3 says, “For by grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the  measure of faith God has given you.” How do you use your power? If you use your power to plan evil, it’s the wrong use of power. God hates plotting evil to those who are innocent. Do good especially to those who belong to the family of God, your own family, and your circle of friends.

Do not think proudly. Do not be deceived. “If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself” (Galatians 6:3). Pride says I deserve this good, and pride also says I don’t deserve this evil. If you received favor and good treatment from others in the past, do not think and presume that you will receive the same favor and good treatment today. Deserve and continue to deserve the good you want to enjoy for you are as good as your last performance. You have to continue to deserve. You have to work for your daily bread.

Do not sleep on your past goodwill. In the relationship of people, there is always maintenance. You have to continue to do good. It’s like changing tires of your car, replenishing oil, and checking the machine. Again, what you think of, it will determine your action, and your actions can become your lifestyle, and your lifestyle attracts energies.

Do not think of yourself as inferior. We are not to think of ourselves as inferior, but we are not to think of ourselves as superior also.

Yes, you are created for a purpose. Romans 13:14 says, “…and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Colossians 3:2 instructs, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Watch what you think. Watch your imagination because it is a powerful way of becoming a reality. Our mind is a very powerful tool. What you think is what you act, and what you act will be your lifestyle, and your lifestyle will result to what happens around you. It’s all in the mind, so how do you think?

If you really desire a positive change in your life that will change even the lives of people around you especially your family and circle of friends, I encourage you not only to seek good life, but seek the Giver of Life. He is the One who doesn’t just give us life but gave His own life for us to live. Seek Him and you will live a life of purpose, a life full of beauty, hope, and joy.