You can choose where, when, and how much time you spend thinking negative thoughts, regardless of your circumstances. Research involving prisoners of war documented that those who intentionally chose positive thoughts, such as thinking about people at home praying for them or the eventual end of the war, came through their ordeal with significantly better mental/emotional health and resilience.
What to Think About
So, Dr. Elaine Carol of Women of the Word asks, what DO you think about? Look through this list, and choose a few to incorporate into your daily thought process. Intentionally begin each day focusing on something positive. And do the same before you go to sleep at night.
You can think about:
- Someone who you care about
- Someone who cares about you
- A challenge you overcame
- A goal you have achieved
- Some way in which God has blessed you
- Something artistic you think is beautiful
- An inspiring or beautiful place in nature
- An accomplishment you can be proud of
- Something you have learned
- Someone you have helped
- The hope you have in knowing Jesus
- Someone who you would like to emulate (become more like)
- What you believe to be most important in life
- A character trait you would like to develop
- Something you would love to do
- How your life is different because of Jesus
- Some way in which you have grown or matured
- A time when you felt loved
- Something you DO have a choice about
- A time you felt God was close to you
- A story of someone who overcame big challenges
- A piece of music that lifts your spirits
- A Scripture you find meaningful
- Something you would like to make better for others
- What it feels like to worship God
Some of these thoughts involve memory. Some involve imagination. Some involve creativity. Some involve faith. All of those are great areas of your heart to draw on in choosing something good to think about.
The Apostle Paul offered his advice by saying, Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. So, before you go to bed tonight, give it a try. Doing so may not solve your problem, but it will sure give you a clearer mental edge in discovering what you can do about it. – Dr. Robert R Seyda
