Today’s Affirmation: As I think in my heart so am I.
This statement may not take you where you think today. What are you thinking about today? What is it that you say to yourself? Do you think more about things of God or yourself? Proverbs 23:7 is the source of today’s affirmation. KJV says… “ For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” This can take many different paths.
In context, Proverbs was warning us not to eat the food of a stingy person and to not crave what he had. Although the miser is offering you his food, his heart is not really with you because he is only thinking of the cost. This verse is warning us about the thoughts and intentions of others. What he is really thinking is who he really is…
Since James Allen published his book back in 1902 many have taken his book, “As a man thinketh” and created an entire personal development industry. I went down that path and found it to be true. I am all for thinking positive and being the best you can be.
BUT, this is a dangerous and slippery slope; for me at least. I do not regret my experiences at all with personal achievement but the fact that I thought about ME all the time in my heart did get create who I was. I was all about ME. I find it interesting that this verse is only THREE verses after these same Proverbs warn against chasing wealth. “Do not wear yourself out to get rich: have the wisdom to show restraint.” Somehow man takes a verse, out of context and creates a self serving excuse to be all that “I” can be and most of the time puts this in the framework of money.
I still believe in the principles of personal development and being all we can be. I also experience through recovery that many hurting people think very poorly about themselves and these thoughts are part of what lead to addictions. But I pray today that I think about God’s plan and what He wants me to be. As I think on Him today, I pray that I become more like Him. For us Jesus followers, we hope to be more like the Christ, right? If I think about Him in my heart I will become more like Him. Become Him, never, but to desire the things of His heart yes.
THIS IS NOT A DOWNER! The first reaction from those chasing the dream is great now I can’t follow my dreams because of guilt and God does not want me to be wealthy…I am NOT saying that at all. I am just saying, in my experience, I have found that thinking on Him more and me less has shown me dreams much grander, much more fulfilling and life changing. Think on and ask the God of Heaven to fill you with the thoughts of your heart. Remember Jesus came so we may live to the full…
- Is what you say to yourself healthy?
- Are there any negative things you say to yourself?
- Can God guard our hearts as to what we think about?
- What do you think about most of the time? Have you ever thought about that?
You are who you think about in your heart, who are you?
Tom Raines
Christian Affirmations4Life
I try to keep in mind Jesus’ own words: “no man can serve two masters…” What place does He have in my heart? Is it one of preeminence or of a backseat? Thanks for the reminder today Tom.
Hi Tom,
This is just what I need, on a daily basis!, so I have subscribed. Thank you for the friend add and thank you! for this website!!
Traci Jones
Welcome Traci, thank you so much for chiming in. Really great to see you here. I look forward to hearing from you and love to hear when you are touched by them! Have a great day! Thank you for the encouragement and the subscription!
Tom, when you asked, “What do you think about most of the time?” reminded me of my dad and one of his favorite sayings, “What is in the well will eventually come out.” Anything that we produce comes from within, regardless of what it is. It is either of Christ, or Satan and self.
Thank you Bill! Have a great day and I trust your trip went well!
Great point Patsy! I was recently told the story that if your cup is full when someone bumps into you that is what will spill out. We do have to be careful to fill our cup as the world is so willing to filling us if we let it. Have a great day!
…and if my cup is full to the brim and someone in this world bumps me, perhaps in offense or just inadvertently, then that which fills my cup will splash onto them. I pray I remain filled with the presence of Jesus my Lord and all of His grace.
Amen Greg, may He overfill us and bathe those we bump into with Him and not us! Blessings!
Thank you for the gentle reminder that I am continuously beng transformed as I renew my thoughts and meditations with God’s word instead of my reactive emotions. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. This verse that interupts my self has become a focal point for my attention: Psalm 46:10 Be still…
Thanks Greg for stopping by. Great to see how a blog written over two years ago can be found just at the right time for someone. I personally enjoyed re-reading it to be reminded as to what I am thinking about. I hope you can vist again sometime. Blessings!