Distorted Thinking

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Distorted Thinking

by Gail Rodgers

The thinking patterns that we choose to let run through our minds will impact the way we walk through our days. We most often feel the way we think. Our attitudes are shaped by our emotions. Stopping to think about our thought patterns is one of the things God calls us to do. Our lives can be transformed by the way we think.

“Do not conform to the (thinking) pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).

Distorted thinking, thinking that is out of line with reality, can happen to any of us. As we consider the thoughts that parade through our minds we can ask ourselves two very important questions.

• “Am I magnifying things beyond their real proportion?”

It’s easy to do. A comment or a self - comparison can leave us feeling larger than we really are or smaller and less significant than is true. Our attitudes and actions begin to reflect this thinking and it impacts how we react. Left unattended we can blow things out of proportion and find ourselves reacting to what is not even a true reality. Much damage can be done when we magnify things in our minds beyond their true state.

• “Am I minimizing things that truly need to be seen in the light of reality?”

Similarly we can stuff down warning signs, ignore things we know we shouldn’t and gloss over realities that need to be seen for what they are.

Check your thoughts today. Don’t deceive yourself with maximizing or minimizing a reality that needs to be seen for what it is.

It’s a good check-point for all of us to pay attention to what needs to be transformed in our minds. God can help us face reality, renew our minds and move us on to prove out His will in our lives.

~Father in Heaven,
Today I ask that You would help me to not conform to old thinking patterns that can deny reality in my life. Help me to be honest with myself and to allow You to transform my thinking. Show me where I minimize or maximize things that I ought not to. Renew my mind. Reveal truth to my heart and help me to allow Your transforming power to lead me to walk out Your good plans for my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Questions to ponder: How can you check your thoughts today to make sure that they are according to the will of God. What damage can be caused by ignoring the signals that God gives us when we go off course?