Exposing Psychology, Exalting Christ

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Q&A - Apart from prayer, how can the mind be changed to think positively?

Question:

Hello!  Enjoying your newsletter - thank you for sending it out to me.  May I ask a question about the above?  Apart from prayer, how can the mind be changed to think positively?

Answer:

Perhaps a different way to ask this question would be, how does one have the mind of Christ, as the Apostle Paul states in 1 Cor. 2:16? Positive thinking is part of it, but there is so much more...
 
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Meditating on verses of the Bible that speak to you, and refusing to entertain any thought that goes against the truths contained in those verses
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Affirming positive, edifying spiritual truths to God in prayer to uplift your spirit and gain proper perspective and "God-focus"
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Focusing on the good in every situation and in every person and choosing to overlook the bad (the Apostle Paul frequently did this, except in cases of church discipline with a sinning brother/sister) - "love covers over a multitude of sins"
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Not looking back on the bad except to learn from it, because this could lead to bitterness
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Worshipping God in song
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Thanking God for who He is and everything He's done for you, instead of thinking about what you don't have or what someone else does have
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Reminding yourself that even bad circumstances in your life are positive in that God is orchestrating them for your ultimate, eternal good
 
Warning: Avoid "The Secret" and other such positive thinking psychological nonsense - it is man-made, self-focused, New Age mind-science philosophy that makes you the center of your universe and promotes a motto of "let my will be done" instead of submitting to God's will. Instead of using "The Secret" to get what we want, we should remember 1 John 5:14-15:
 

1Jo 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

1Jo 5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
 
Positive thinking is good, but needs to be couched within the bounds of God's will, which may include not getting what we want, and might even include suffering in some way. Hopefully our relationship with the Lord is such that those things we ask of Him in prayer are automatically those things God has prompted us to pray by the moving of His Holy Spirit within us. These kinds of prayers are heard and answered.
 
Hope this helps!
 
Lisa and Ryan Bazler

 

 

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Copyright © 2002 - 2007 Lisa & Ryan Bazler

P.O. Box 864, Cardiff, CA 92007 

lisaandryan@psychologydebunked.com

Last updated: 11/25/2007

 

Note: The mission of this ministry is to inform mental sufferers and those from whom they seek help of the physical, mental and spiritual dangers of mental health disorders and treatments, and to encourage them to pursue a drug-free, psychology-free, Christ-centered life.  Visitors to this web site taking psychotropic drugs who wish to discontinue use are strongly advised to consult a qualified physician for assistance and supervision before starting the discontinuation process. This ministry and web site provides information to help visitors make the most informed decisions about their mental health, and should not replace the advice of a medical doctor.