Influence

Today's Five Minute Friday word prompt is "influence." I'm going to free write for 5 minutes:

GO:

Scripture says,"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he," so it is vital where we let our thoughts linger.

So many things influence our thoughts. What we read, watch on TV, the opinions of those around us, movies ... the list goes on and on.

Here's the thing: we can control what goes into our thoughts. If garbage is being spouted on television - turn it off. We all have remotes with "off" buttons.

If hanging around certain people fill us with negative thoughts, it's time to spend the bulk of our time with other people.

Don't knowingly watch or read things that have an adverse affect on you. (Please don't watch the news before bedtime!) 

Instead, I believe the best advice to influence our thought life is found in scripture. Philippians 4:8 says it best:

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. (NLT)

We have the option to CHOOSE what we think on. Yes, negative thoughts will fly through the air and we pick them up. But we don't have to DWELL on those thoughts.

I'm reminded of what my husband's grandmother always said: "Thoughts are like birds. They may fly at us, but we don't have to let them build nests in our hair."

In other words, when a negative thought comes, don't give it any of your precious time. Replace that thought with a beautiful one.

[My 5 minutes are up]

Note:

A practice I started that helps me with my night time thoughts is doing a nightly devotional.

Now, I’m a daytime girl and always feel bible study is best for me in the morning. But lately, I’ve added a nightly devotion as well and it seems to have made all the difference. If the last thing I’m thinking of as my head hits the pillow is some aspect of God and His character, I find when I wake up, I’m in a much better mood. I might even wake up with praise songs running through my mind. (I love when that happens because it is my spirit giving praise.)

I also find it is a frequent thing to have some sort of revelation about a scripture when I’m thinking about scripture at night time.

Hey! I’m recalling a scripture that directs us to think about the Word when we are in our beds. Hold on, let me find it…

Here it is:

When I remember You on my bed,I meditate on You in the night watches. Psalm 63:6

That’s what I’m talking about!

Oh, I also found this:

Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds. Psalm 149:5

Evidently, bedtime is a good time to think about Him and sing about Him.

Do whatever it takes to fix your mind on Him at bedtime. May your sleep be sweet the next time your head hits the pillow!

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I just want you to know how highly I value those of you that make your way to the Journey to read my words! I believe encouraging others with the written word is a worthy calling. Thank you especially to those who respond. You make it worthwhile!

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I'm linking up today at Five Minute Friday and at Grace&Truth.

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