MAKE UP YOUR MIND! (Boot Camp for Creators & Dreamers #8.4)

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Previously: If you’re going to tap into your creativity and fulfill your dreams, it’s imperative that you discipline yourself to think positive, faith-filled thoughts. “Stinking thinking” and toxic emotions make a deadly combination that is pure poison for Dreamers and Creators. It can sap your energy, steal your time, sabotage your efforts, and eventually lead to the death of your dreams.

 

Dwelling on just the positive stuff in life can be a challenge, since we’re constantly being bombarded with images and information, both good and bad. But just because a negative thought pops into your brain doesn’t mean you have to welcome it. Nor does it mean you should allow it to linger. As the Great Reformer Martin Luther once wrote, “You cannot keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.”

So, when thoughts like “You have no talent” or “You’ll never fulfill your dreams” try to take up residence in your head, refuse to accept them. Then, quickly replace them with an uplifting and encouraging promise from God’s Word, such as “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)

Every dream or vision begins life as a single thought. Every new invention, innovation, story, song, book, film, work of art, company, ministry, or organization starts with an idea. But to transform thoughts into realities, good ideas must be acted upon; dreamers and visionaries must make a decision to take the necessary steps to achieve the goal or dream. And the first step takes place in the mind: If you think you can, then you probably will; if you think you can’t, then you probably won’t.

“Always remember,” Abraham Lincoln wrote, “Your own resolution to succeed is more important than anything else.” Resolving to do something is also called “making up your mind.” What are YOU using to “make up” YOUR mind? Please understand, you’ll never achieve your dreams and goals, or see the vision become a reality, if you don’t take control of your thoughts. You must discipline your mind to receive and ponder what is good and trustworthy, positive and productive.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “…Keep focusing on the things that are above, where the Messiah is seated at the right hand of God. Keep your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. (Colossians 3:1-2 ISV)

Keep a heavenly — godly — focus by training your mind: read God’s Word, the Bible (the most encouraging book on earth); meditate on it, memorize and proclaim its promises. And stay motivated by thinking positive, faith-filled thoughts; by counting on God’s unconditional love; by trusting in the future He has planned for you; and by believing only what God has to say about you — after all, who knows you better than the One who created you?

“This is God’s Word on the subject: ‘I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out — plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” (Jeremiah 29:11 MSG)

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in Me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” (John 14:12 NLT)

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT) “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)

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WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND? (Boot Camp for Creators & Dreamers #8.3)

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We dreamers and creators are always working toward a goal or dealing with a problem; waiting and hoping for answers and breakthroughs. Along the journey to realizing our hopes and aspirations we’ll encounter opposition and setbacks, and we’ll need to be able to endure delays and disappointments. Sadly, when “life happens,” it’s tempting to give up on our dreams and creative pursuits. If we want to stay the course and fulfill our destinies, we’ll need the backing, encouragement, comfort, strength, and reassurance that comes from One greater than ourselves. To get this Divine support, we’ll need some basic training … to follow several important spiritual steps.

More on Managing your Mind

Previously: If you’re going to tap into your creativity and fulfill your dreams, it’s imperative that you discipline yourself to think positive, faith-filled thoughts. “Stinking thinking” and toxic emotions make a deadly combination that is pure poison for Dreamers and Creators. It can sap your energy, steal your time, sabotage your efforts, and eventually lead to the death of your dreams.

Who’s in charge here?

Most of us need to feel we have some degree of control over our lives and destinies. So it’s a sobering truth that, according to Denis Waitley, “You are either the Captain or the Captive of your thoughts.” (Chicken Soup for the Soul: Unlocking the Secrets to Living Your Dream, p.14) In other words, do you control your thoughts — or do your thoughts control you?

The Apostle Peter wrote, “…Gird your minds for action, keep sober….” (1 Peter 1:13 NAS 1977) The word gird means: to muster [collect, assemble] up one’s resources; to equip and make secure; to prepare for action. Peter is admonishing us to collect our thoughts, to stay focused — not wasting valuable mental real estate on negative, unproductive and destructive thoughts — to stay intellectually and spiritually alert, and ready for action. This is precisely the strategy we need to adopt, especially when pursuing a dream or tackling a creative project.

Here’s another, more direct translation of the verse: “…Think clearly and exercise self-control.” (NLT) Got that? Get C.O.N.T.R.O.L. of your thought-life.

“Warning, warning! That does not compute!”

The human brain is not unlike a super computer — with a powerful high-speed camera built-in. It records a lot of information (and imagery), and then imbeds it in the mind. Not all of this info is useful. Some of it is even harmful. All of it has an affect on our productivity, as well as how we function (act) and what we say (including some stuff “That does not compute!”). As the old saying goes, “Garbage in, garbage out.”

And, like a computer, the brain’s “data storage space” is not unlimited. In fact, what God has given us is precious — and will be until someone invents a zip drive that plugs into the side of the neck. So, as with a computer, it pays to frequently peruse old data files, to see what’s clogging the system. Taking a Mental Inventory allows us to evaluate the quality (and creative value) of our thoughts.

Try it. Ponder these self-assessment questions:

  • What’s the first thing I think of when I wake up in the morning?
  • What’s continually on my mind throughout the day? (What dominates my thoughts?)
  • What’s the last thing I think about before going to bed?
  • What am I putting into my mind?
  • What am I reading, watching, listening to, and engaging in (games/social media)?

Ready to evaluate your test against THE standard? The measuring stick is what the Apostle Paul wrote roughly 2000 years ago: “…Friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” (Philippians 4:8 MSG)

Join us tomorrow for the conclusion of this important Boot Camp step about Managing Your Mind: MAKE UP YOUR MIND!

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