Nighttime is a scary time sometimes if you are an overthinker. You know you need rest so you can face the next day, but for some reason your body wakes you up. Doesn't matter whether it's 1 or 4 o'clock, it's not fun. Because you try to get back to sleep but you just toss and turn.
Did I get everything I need to get done for tomorrow?
Why does my knee itch so much? Should I get it checked out?
Is there someone I need to check on who I should be praying for?
I can't believe how good God is that he would allow.... to happen.
That last one seems out of place with the others. But when you have big feelings, excitement is included in that. You can be overwhelmed with thoughts and feelings so much so that your mind won't turn off. It doesn’t matter if those thoughts are what we would consider good or bad.
What do we do then? How do we break the cycle and get the rest we need? I have found that taking time to fix my eyes on God is never a waste of time. This can come in many forms: reading the Bible, reading a book that draws you closer to God, meditating, praying, singing praises to him, writing your thoughts down and combating them with scripture.
See the Devil will do anything he can to pull you away from God. That includes making you think about all the things you must do. That's why we must change our thinking. We must put on the armor of God and break the cycle.
So many verses talk about thinking in the Bible that I would be remiss if I didn't point out more than one.
"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
We are to set our minds on the truth. Many times, when we spiral into darkness we focus on dark thoughts. That's why we must think of what is pure, lovely, and true.
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2
We hear this one used a lot but how often do we follow it. The word "transform" connotates change. When we accept Christ as our savior, not only should it change our actions but our thinking as well. In the dark, we should be thinking about the light-the will of God.
'For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:5-6
Worries tend to make us spiral. Even when good things happen, we tend to think about what could go wrong with them. But we must remember that anything we go through on earth is temporary. While here, we are to do our best to reflect God's glory. That means we spread the Gospel and love others, which is setting our mind on the spirit.
While all those things may not be easy, and you may not wish to be thinking about them in the darkness of the night, it is important to remember to take our thoughts captive. When we start to overthink, we have a choice. We can continue to think those thoughts, or we can lean on God and remember his truth. He loves us and is with us no matter what we face.
So, are you thinking of things that are pure and true? How can you transform your mind?
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