Shaped By Our Thoughts

Reflections for this date are based on the following scripture passages:

Psalms 71

As I read Psalms 71 this morning, my mind was drawn to the thought of how we are shaped by what we allow to dominate our thoughts. While the statement, "We are shaped by our thoughts," might be attributed to a loose quote of Buddha, the context in which I use it here is quite different. Buddha's meaning relates to the power man holds within himself through his mind. The meaning that comes to me from Psalms 71 relates to God's power to overcome in our lives and the space we allow God to have in our heads.

The psalmist was overwhelmed by the difficulties he faced. Like any of us, he was pulled down emotionally and depressed by the threats he faced. Allowed to take over his mind, these thoughts would bring him down, providing a greater threat to him than did his enemies. But instead, the psalmist went to God in prayer and allowed God into his thoughts. Thoughts of God's deliverance replaced the threats he faced. He was reminded of how God had helped him since his youth which gave him renewed confidence of God's help in his present situation. He pleaded with God to "not be far from me" and was given a sense of His presence that gave him hope. Then he went from depression to praise.

Notice, then, verses 14 & 15: "But I will hope continually and will praise You more and more. My mouth will tell about Your righteousness and Your salvation all day long." As mentioned, the psalmist went from depression to praise, but then he took an important next step which was to tell others of how God had helped him, praising God's righteousness and salvation. The process of allowing God to take over our thoughts begins in our alone time with Him, but it is continued and strengthened when we are with others as we share what God is doing for us. Not only do we help and encourage others but our faith is strengthened as well. The more we voice God's praises, the more these thoughts take over our mind in place of the thoughts that threaten to defeat us.