Fix Your Thoughts
- Alisen Bigerton
- May 7
- 2 min read
“We are much better versions of ourselves, and have a much more positive impact, when we are focused on the good.”
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 NLT
The day-or at least the most recent part of it-has been frustrating. Arguments have abounded; I've repeated myself what feels like about 100 times. I'm more than ready for it to be bedtime.
I start praying aloud before tucking him in, “God, thank You for my son and the way he…”
“Why did you pray like that?” he asks. Unfortunately, my irritation had been quite evident.
“Sometimes when you're frustrated with someone, the best thing you can do is thank God for them.”
I would later chuckle inside when my son began a prayer this same way, knowing he did so because he was frustrated with me.
Let's face it: no matter how much we love our families, especially our husbands and our kids, there are moments when we don't particularly like them. We don't feel all warm and fuzzy, and we're not overwhelmed by affection. No one can grate our nerves more than the people we love the most!
In those moments, it's important- and incredibly difficult- to get a handle on our thoughts. This is not natural, hence the phrase, “Fix your thoughts”. We need to remind ourselves of God's grace, of what we enjoy about the person driving us bonkers, of the fact that God didn't have to give them to us, and He loves them more than we can fathom. Thanking God for someone or a situation, shifts our focus to the good: the good in the person, the good in our lives, the goodness of God. We are much better versions of ourselves, and have a much more positive impact, when we are focused on the good.
Take a moment to:
Practice fixing your thoughts on what is good and praiseworthy. When you notice your thoughts straying, spiraling, or ruminating, rein them in. Breathe a silent prayer to Jesus, whisper His name aloud- or shake your head to clear it like an Etch-A-Sketch!
Remember, “You don't have to think every thought that pops into your head”.
Prayer: God, You are amazing. The best place our minds could possibly be is on You. And yet, the demands of this world, the persistent, nagging, immediate here-ness of it, steal our focus in a snap. Would You help us to be mindful of our thoughts and give us the strength to take them captive? May the thoughts in our heads and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing to You. Amen.
Written by Alisen, mom of 1