Thoughts Are Powerful

Proverbs 23:7 is right on, and I have been experiencing this in a profound way. Part of my personality is melancholy, and it is quite easy for me to think negative thoughts. It comes second nature to me. My husband drove our motorhome to fill with fuel and LP gas. He was gone from our house less than one minute when he called me, asking if I could find his wallet and bring it to him at the bottom of our subdivision’s hill.

My first thoughts paraded across the blackboard of my mind, Oh, here we go again. Why did he forget his wallet? Now I will be delayed as well.

But praise the Lord, He began to deal with my thoughts and reminded me of this most precious idea: “Why don’t you think how blessed you are to be able to help your husband? You get the privilege to be of assistance to him.” Do you know, within seconds of thinking how blessed I was to be able to help my husband, joy began to grow in my mind, and it was exciting to carry out the request.

When I showed up at the bottom of the hill where he waited patiently for me, I greeted him with a smile. Isn’t that amazing! Using the power of my thoughts, I could change my outlook on things. This reminds me of a testimony I heard on the radio. The woman speaker shared that she was ready to leave her marriage.

She was frustrated about her husband and their relationship. She was ready to quit. Then the Lord suggested she greet her husband with the words “I love you” as he returned from work each day. Recoiling in horror, she boldly told God she couldn’t do that. Could she just think the words but not say them? So she began thinking the words. Each time her husband came home from work, she thought, I love you.

And guess what? As the days and weeks passed, her feelings began to match her thoughts; then, she spoke the words and really meant them.

Today she is very happily married and shares this story with others. Is there someone in your life who bugs you? Maybe it’s a coworker, a family member, or someone in the church. Ask Jesus to give you kind thoughts toward that person and see what happens. Are you up for the challenge?

Valerie Hamel Morikone