Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

I have known this text for many years.   Recently the conviction has come to my heart of the need to train my thoughts. It is also my duty to train my children on  how to control their thoughts.

Thoughts shape our behavior, our attitudes, and our words. What we think eventually comes out through the mouth or in our actions .This ultimately reveals our character and our eternal destiny is affected. Thought processes begin in our brain. In private. Where no one else can visit.  But God can see. He knows what is there.

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7

This is why it is so very important to guard our thoughts.  To think positive, uplifting thoughts.  To keep our minds pure so the Holy Spirits’  prompting can be heard. It is important to openly discuss this process with our children, and for them to see us conquering our own negative thought tendencies.

Negative thoughts can be very destructive to any relationship, including our most important  relationship with God. Satan would  like to hijack our thoughts and keep the negative thinking cycle going.

Finally brethren whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

For my family I have developed  some strategies to implement in the battle to capture and retrain our thoughts.

1.Ask for divine help

2.Memorize scripture promises that apply, and recite them periodically.

3.Hold one another accountable

I encourage you to contemplate what you can do for your family to build ‘right thinking’ habits.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself  against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4,5

May the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in Thy sight, oh Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14