You Can Turn Your Thoughts

Breathe Deep and Know: You can renew your mind by training your thoughts to focus on the things of God.

You may have heard a saying along the lines of, “Where you look is where you’ll go.” The idea is that where you place your focus determines your direction.

What you think about matters. What you focus your mind on not only influences your decisions and your direction but can also impact your brain and nervous system. Repeating an action over and over is how the brain makes stronger connections. This is why it can be difficult to break negative thought patterns or automatic responses in times of stress. But it’s also why we can have hope, because redirecting your thought patterns can actually change your brain. In a pretty miraculous way, as you turn your thoughts away from sin, worry, or fear and intentionally focus your mind on what is true, noble, and worthy of praise, your brain can actually create new neural pathways. The more you repeat the same action—the more you practice turning your thoughts—the deeper those neural pathways become.

When you begin to feel the symptoms of anxiety in your body, use that as a cue to turn your thoughts to something true. When you feel fear creeping into your day, turn your thoughts to what is lovely. When you’re tempted by sin, redirect your thoughts to what is right and pure. Train your brain to turn your thoughts to things of God. The more you do it, the easier it will become. In this way, you participate in the work of rewiring your brain and being “transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).

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 NIV