Think AgainSample

Think again

A few months ago, my mom won an award from the Rotary Club of Madison, Wisconsin. The rotary folks invited our family to a fancy hotel with over one hundred business leaders—lawyers, doctors, and other professionals. When the rotary president stood up to start the meeting, she began by reminding everyone in attendance about how to think. “Ask yourself questions like—Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it kind?” As I listened, I wondered, “Why would highly educated people need this?” Because, apparently, even PhDs need to think about what they think about.

You might be a sharp student, an experienced professional, or just older and wiser, but we still all need the reminder to think again. Paul tells us, “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). Paul is commanding us: “Think like this. If your thoughts about a stressful situation or a difficult person in your life or even about yourself aren’t noble or pure, develop the mental muscle to think again.”

The next time you sense that you have lost your spiritual joy or peace, think about your thoughts. Are they true? Are they helpful? Are they biblical? If not, think again. Think about the love of your Father, the forgiveness of your Savior, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in your heart. Think about such things.

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