Do you know that the Bible can change your thought life? It did this for me when I started reading it every day. Here’s my story, which I hope inspires you.
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Hebrews 4:12 NLT
How the Bible Changed Me
I grew up with a high view of God’s Word. As a Lutheran schoolgirl, I had to memorize Bible verses every single week. This practice helped me hide God’s Word in my heart and recognize his voice. It laid an important foundation of respect, awe and healthy fear of the Lord God Almighty.
In high school, I no longer had religion class every day, so God’s Word didn’t have as powerful of an impact in my life. I still attended church weekly and read the Bible in the services, but not on my own. This bothered me. With my high school graduation money, I bought a Max Lucado study Bible which I loved. Yet often, I found myself reading the devotions more than the actual scriptures. This was a secret source of shame for me.
God planted a seed in me through another family’s example. In college, I visited my best friend. Her dad was my former pastor. After supper, he took out a Bible and read from it. Then we prayed together. Every time I visited, they did this. I knew they were reading God’s Word every day, and this inspired me to do so myself.
Change Your Thought Life One Day at a Time
I didn’t make this a regular habit until 2003, when I purchased a One Year Bible. I’m the type of person who needs a system to follow, and the One Year Bible format appealed to me. That year, I challenged myself to read through the entire Bible, one day at a time. I felt a sense of triumph on January 1, 2004 when I accomplished that goal.
Every year since then, I’ve read through the whole Bible. I also read over 100 books per year, mostly Christian non-fiction and self-help. The Bible has changed me more than any other book I’ve ever read, because it has living power. God’s Word is alive, and through it he gives us hope, healing and perfect peace.
The version of the One Year Bible I began reading selected one scripture per day and highlighted it in a bold font. I began meditating on that bold verse, asking God to teach me more about himself, myself and others through it. For the past 16 years, God has been changing my thoughts and desires with the sharp edges of his Word, which are like a surgeon’s scalpel that invites healing.
God has been changing my thoughts and desires with the sharp edges of his Word, which are like a surgeon's scalpel that invites healing. #healing #powerofGod Click To Tweet
The Bible Can Change Your Thought Life
Here’s how God’s Word has changed my thought life since 2003, according to the chapters in my book, Transforming Your Thought Life.
Careless thoughts
Since we worship a God of order, my thoughts became more intentional (1 Cor. 14:33)
Negative thoughts
God tells us to be joyful in hope (Rom. 12:12), and I began to choose joy instead of negativity.
Anxious thoughts
I didn’t recognize how anxious I was until God showed me through the mirror of his word. But he helped me choose peace instead of worry (Matt. 6:25-33).
Self-critical thoughts
By God’s power, I could choose to say I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)
Thoughts that criticize others
God reformed my critical spirit by showing me how much love Jesus had for others (John 13:34-35)
Fearful thoughts
God taught me that since he is perfect love, I have no need to fear (1 John 4:18).
Idolatrous thoughts
Through Psalm 51, God taught me that my secret idol worship was a grievous sin against him, and led me to repentance.
Guilty thoughts
God set me free from the burden of guilt through Romans 8:1.
Discontent thoughts
By studying Paul’s example, I learned how to choose contentment instead of constantly complaining (Phil. 4:11-13).
Impure thoughts
God purified me from wayward thoughts through this passage in my favorite book, Isaiah.
Painful thoughts
God healed and affirmed me by assuring me through this Psalm.
Defeated thoughts
God showed me how to choose victory because I am more than a conqueror through him (Rom. 8:31-37).
Regretful thoughts
God helped me let go of things I can never redo through the power of this scripture.
Angry thoughts
God taught me how to handle my anger in healthier ways with this verse.
Unforgiving thoughts
God helped me exercise forgiveness to my worst offenders through scriptures like this one.
Self-focused thoughts
God transformed me into an others-focused person by the power of this passage.
Untrue thoughts
By meditating on this beautiful verse hundreds of times, I now recognize Satan’s lies and am able to choose God’s truth instead.
God's Word is alive, and through it he gives us hope, healing and perfect peace. #hope #healing #peace Click To Tweet
Change Your Thought Life with the Bible
God’s Word has living power that is activated when we meditate on it and hide it in our hearts. It didn’t take me very long to type the list above, because I’ve meditated on all of those scriptures many times. They are written on my heart and mind, and are reprogramming the bad messages I’ve spoken over myself for decades.
I hope this post encourages you to start reading God’s Word on your own, every single day. Here is my favorite Bible version, but I hope you’ll choose whatever version resonates most with you. If you read the Bible every single day for the rest of 2019, I promise your life will be changed in many of the categories I listed above. Let your loving Father heal, restore and redeem you through the mighty power of his Word.
God's Word has living power that is activated when we meditate on it and hide it in our hearts. #christianmeditation #transformingyourthoughtlife Click To TweetPrayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the gift of your Word. I know it is alive and active, and holds the power to heal, restore and redeem me from all my problems. Help me set aside time every day to read it, Lord. I ask your Holy Spirit to help me understand and apply it to my life. Lord, I trust that if I am faithful to read your Word, you will transform my thoughts and desires for your glory.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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