“Get rid of your stinking thinking”, is a popular saying from by Pastor John K. Jenkins, the Senior Pastor at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden.
What a true and necessary statement. It’s #WellnessWednesday here at Inspired Life and most Wednesdays we talk about honoring the temple through proper nourishment, rest and exercise. A well-nourished person has a well-nourished mind. And depending your thought life you could be well nourished or have mental anorexia or mental bulimia. Just as anorexia and bulimia are toxic to the physical body, stinking thinking is just as hazardous if not more for our mental health. The bible says as a man thinks so is he.
Stinking thinking is contrary to God’s Word.
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
But thoughts have a way of taking root and taking over. Like weeds, they put down strong roots and choke out those things we are trying to grow. But today we take a stand against stinking thinking and will not allow the weeds to take root. We will pluck them out as soon as they make an appearance. Properly tending the garden of our minds will yield a thought life that blooms with vibrant flowers and good fruit.
Stinking thinking is sly and slick and can sneak up on you. Last week it crept stealthily upon me and dropped two little negative babies in my brain and they started to whine and cry. Take a glimpse in my mind:
~As I was about to fall asleep the Lord showed me a book cover. I saw the title of the book, an illustration and down below was my name. I saw my book! But after my name there was no comma, no initials, no credentials certifying me to be an authority on health and wellness. Then negative baby was born in my brain and came out shrieking, “You are not credentialed so you can’t write that book”.
~As I was watching one of the biggest Pastor in the world advertising for an upcoming national event he mentioned some of the sessions that were being offered, one of which was health and wellness. God spoke “I can place you on that platform”. Immediately came another negative baby screeching in my brain, “You can’t do that”. You’re not qualified”.
I could not feed these negative babies and allow them to grow into adult screamers taking over my head. NO! They had to go.
How do we abolish stinking thinking?
Heed The Word
When negative thought come up, arrest them on the spot. Capture those thoughts and cast them out. Negative thought are toxic thoughts that are contrary to God’s word.
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.
2 Corinthians 10:5
Meditate On Truth
Once you capture the toxic thought, replace it with the Truth. So while I may not have letters behind my name making me an authority on health and wellness, I have been diligent and have studied to show myself approved. For 12 years I have been studying, reading, researching, and practicing wellness. The Most High has divinely guided me on the journey. He has been my teacher. And one day He will permit me to obtain some credentials but for now my certifications come from Him. He will not release me to pursue certification until it’s the right time for the right reasons. He’s clearly stated to me, your approval comes from me not from man. I know your heart.
Limit Outside Influence
The world’s cares can choke out God’s truth. The things we allow in our ear gates and eye gates influence who we are, what we do and what we believe. Images in the media can tell us that we ought to maintain a certain status: Have, Do, Be ALL THIS! Well meaning friends and family can suggest what we ought to Have, Do and Be. My caution is to quiet those voices so you can hear THE VOICE. He will lead you in paths of righteousness for His namesake. He will lead you in the way everlasting. Listen to Him, Trust Him and Follow Him.
For in depth support on managing your thought life, check out Dr. Caroline Leaf’s 21 Day Brain Detox. In this program Dr. Leaf gives a systematic approach for eliminating toxic thoughts.
The mind is truly a battlefield and we have to know the weapons of our warfare. I pray that you will meditate on that which is true and allow your mind to flourish.
As always it is my prayer that you’ve been Inspired To Live Fully!
Happy to connect with friends at Purposeful Faith, Grace & Truth, Dance With Jesus