What a good question, though sadly, one that is seldom asked! Would you say you are thinking too much, too little, or hardly at all?
Thinking is defined as the ability to process information that translates into decisions, actions, opinions, and reflection. I’ve added reflection because not all questions have specific answers. The more we think about specific topics, and investigate options and information, the more enlightened and confident we become about our conclusions. Thinking promotes planning, creates wisdom, and helps keep us in right standing with God.
Intention Before Benefit
While you may affirm and desire those three benefits, it’s critical to personally recognize the importance and value of developing the skill of thinking if you wish to be intentional about it.
Since few of us may consider ourselves “mental giants”, it’s important to understand both when and how thinking occurs. First, and as followers of Jesus, we think as we spend time with God in prayer. God puts thoughts in our minds for us to consider, as well as things He would have us do. For this reason, it’s important to not only seek God in prayer for solutions to our problems or to act on our behalf. Rather, it’s important and conducive to thinking, to ask Him questions while praying. Here are two of my favorite questions to ask God. “Is there something you’d like me to do today? Is there someone You want me to reach out to, to comfort or encourage? I find these are prayerful questions God often answers immediately.
Secondly, we think when we write. Writing is an amazing way to be able to know what we are thinking. Reading is another favorite of mine. We have access to great minds, who have shared their thoughts in books on a wide variety of topics. I am so often challenged and inspired as I read other’s thoughts on topics important to me.
Talking with others is another way our thoughts are developed. We sometimes refer to this as verbal processing. For example, I have experienced conversations that have caused me to share strong opinions about things I never knew I had. Such thoughts arise as we engage in meaningful dialogue with friends and strangers.
Other activities that can support and inspire deep thinking include taking time to be in nature. Sitting by an ocean or lake, hiking along a path, looking up at the stars at night, watching the birds. The list is almost endless. Different forms of art can also stir thought, such as an inspirational movie or play.
An Invitation to Grounded Thinking
All these mentioned and others that remain unnamed serve to invite us to think. It’s important to understand what your own thought language is. Recognize the best method you can employ to foster thinking and where your best thinking occurs. In what setting do you think most clearly and at what time of day?
Now that we’ve addressed our “how” and “when”, it’s time to address the “what”. For this, we want to ground our posture and what we think about in Scripture. Beginning with Romans 12:3, we are reminded to not think of ourselves more highly than we should, but to think sensibly. The previous verse tells us, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (NLT). Discerning God’s will stems from thought, and how important it is to walk in God’s perfect will! Proverbs 28:26 tells us that, “Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe (NIV).
As to what we should think, Philippians 4:8 instructs us to think on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable” (NIV). If anything is excellent or praiseworthy, on these we are to meditate. Colossians 3:2 implores us to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. In both letters, the Apostle Paul is asking us to think with an eternal perspective. Finally, we are told in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 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” (NIV).
A Thinking Challenge
Friends, thinking is vitally important. Today, will you be proactive about taking time to quiet your life enough to pray, pay attention to what’s going on around you and endeavor to think deeply with the mind of Christ? If you need a suggestion to encourage this practice, try listening to your pastor at church or to our Q4 Impact podcast that airs each week. Will you be one who, through thought and reflections, applies God’s word to your everyday life? Get thinking today and allow the Lord to transform your hearts and mind. He deserves nothing less.
