Have you ever noticed that sometimes it’s just easy to think about all the things that stress you and make you afraid? Here’s the truth: what you’re thinking about has a lot of control on how your day’s going to go. What you’re thinking will do much to determine your mood. So, it’s absolutely important that you work hard to control what it is you’re thinking.

All of us battle stress and anxiety from time to time but God has given us some equipment to help us keep our hearts and minds at peace. What is it? It’s the ability to control what we think about.

Isaiah wrote this:

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3, ESV)

The Apostle Paul wrote:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8, ESV)

Not only is it true that what you think about matters, but don’t miss this pivotal truth too: you have control over what you’re thinking about.

When you’re feeling stressed today or this week, try to put these truths into practice. When you’re stressed, when you’re anxious, or when you’re just feeling down, begin deliberately think about good things. What are those? Sometimes I just begin remind myself of all the things I know: I’m a child of God, He loves me, He will never leave me, God has a plan for me and is constantly at work on my behalf, I’ve been through this before and I know I’m going to be okay, I’m a believer which means my future is always bright… What truths and encouragement can you remind yourself today?

These are just some examples but if  you’re feeling down or anxious try it out. God has made a way for you to be at peace and much of it has to do with what you do with your mind.