Today’s word is THOUGHTS.
There are many things you can do to “process” this word today:
Think on it.
Look it up in Scripture if you choose. An easy way to look up biblical texts on the topic is to go to biblegateway.com and do a search on the word.
Discuss it with others.
Google it.
I’m sure you can think of others. Whatever you choose to do to process this word today, please check back in at the end of the day and let’s have a discussion about your thoughts, experiences, etc.
To see the introduction and table of contents for The One Word Devotional Series, click here. Remember, for this series, the actual devotional thoughts are found in the comments.
Pull Up a Chair 
There are times when I am unable to control my thoughts. Some times I feel this is a weakness. These thoughts are not always nice but when I stick to my convictions and turn to God I can keep them to myself. I have even turned some around so I able to share thoughts.
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I think this is a difficult area for all of us. I believe the first step is to actually think about what we’re thinking. Like you said, “turn to God.” Do our thoughts reflect His thoughts? His heart? Glad you’ve been able to “turn some around.” That’s not an easy thing to do.
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Hmmm…have to think about this one for a while (teehee)
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The secret thoughts of God the Father was reveled to us through his son Jesus.
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“When God delays in fulfilling our little thoughts, it is to have Himself room to work out His great ones.” – Lilias Trotter
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Thoughts. Like Trisha, the first thing that came to me were the uninvited thoughts that have invaded my mind over the years. They’re not pretty about me (or about others). Definitely not what I believe God’s thoughts toward me are now–though there was a time when I wasn’t sure about that.
Two sayings that I made up help me a lot. One of them is for thoughts (from my childhood) that tell me I’m a bad, rebellious, stubborn little girl. But I’m not–“I am a mature, responsible adult woman!” On the outside this may seem obvious, but I didn’t always get it or feel like it. I still don’t always get it–which I know because every now and then I begin feeling like I’m 8 years old. Not good, since I’m 70!
The other is about God and me. I use it almost every day, and often get teary when I say it to myself: “I am God’s beloved daughter child with whom God is well-pleased.” Not because of what I do, but because of who I am to God. I especially like having this belief in my head and my heart since I grew up thinking it was all about what I do, not who or whose I am.
Elouise
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Appreciate your input and transparency here, Elouise. Isn’t it amazing how hard it is to get someone else’s thoughts out of our minds? I often recommend a book called Wounded by Words
by Osborn, Kosman and Gordon for those who struggle with this. I’m glad you’ve learned to replace the words that have harmed you with the truth of God’s Word. That’s exactly what I was referring to in the tweet I reposted above. Thanks for sharing. I pray your story will give hope to those who struggle with the same issues.
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One of the ‘scary’ verses in the Bible is Psalm 139:2 — You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
The concept of God knowing my thoughts terrifies me. I’m an introvert, so I tend to process things in my head before I speak, which allows me to filter out those things I think from those things I should say. My brain is often surprisingly full of bitterness, judgement, and criticism that shocks me. I often feel like Paul and the ‘do-do’ verses — what I want to do I do not do,and what I don’t want to do I do.(Romans 7:15 – 20). What a wretched person I am!
In addition, I tend to over think EVERYTHING! What did that look mean? Did I do something wrong? He didn’t answer my question — is he mad? She sighed — is she frustrated with me? Unfortunately this over thinking usually ties back to me somehow and I turn it into self-flagellation, even if had nothing to do with me! Why can’t I just take things at face value and let it go?
Praise God that he loves me as I am and he has started a good work in me that he will complete. He DOES know these thoughts and instead of disappointing him, I imagine him as a loving father who would do the same things for me as I would do for my child who said these things out loud. He loves me and gently points me to reality. He admonishes me, not for the selfishness and negativity I feel but for the hurt I am causing myself. He reminds me to:
Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.Philippians 4:8
And with a sigh, plus a bit of trepidation, I want to pray Psalm 139:23 — Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
And yes, all the other thoughts, too.
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So much good to ponder here, Susan. Thanks for sharing – and putting a lot of thought into what you prepared. 🙂 I’ve never heard of the Romans passage referred to as the “do-do” verses. Love that! It’s so fitting for the angst Paul has worked himself into (and is reflected by all of us at different times). I will be using that phraseology in the future. I love where Paul lands at the end of all that “do-do” – after crying out, “Oh, Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?” it’s like he has a moment of clarity and says, “Oh, yeah, Christ has already done that – yay!”
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