I Corinthians 2:16
thought1/THôt/
noun
- an idea or opinion produced by thinking, or occurring suddenly in the mind
The above is the Oxford Dictionary definition for the noun “thought.” In the Greek, the verb to take thought is merimnaō,: to be anxious; troubled with cares.
Have you ever found yourself analyzing your thoughts and being disappointed with them…especially because we hear so much about renewing our mind?
Well, I was hangin’ out with Jesus this morning and started to get frustrated with my thoughts. In all honesty, I was wrestling myself in my mind feeling bad for not believing what I really wanted to believe.
Then I heard the Lord say to me, “Why are you taking credit for that? Those thoughts aren’t yours. And why are you beating yourself up for what I was beaten for?”
Instantly He reminded me that those nagging thoughts were crucified with Him; He took my old nature with Him to the cross.
Those kinds of thoughts come from an enemy whose desire is to get us focused on self, leading to self-righteousness (which is all dung), which always leads to guilt and condemnation (which are lies from the pit of hell), which can lead to oppression and depression.
This is why it’s so critical to hear over and over that Jesus himself is our identity. None of us believe perfectly all the time. But He believes perfectly for us.
In simply coming to and communing with Him, He can remind you that since His thoughts are perfect, yours are too. In other words, Father is not analyzing your thoughts. He’s looking at Jesus’s thoughts judging yours as His are! (1 John 4:17b).
This is where most of us get tripped up. Worrying about our thoughts is actually worse than the thoughts themselves. It’s a vicious cycle.
In the old testament, Aaron, the first high priest, was instructed in detail how to dress. When it came to his head, he was to wear a turban with a gold plate attached in the front across his forehead that read “Holy To The Lord.” In doing so, he would bear the guilt of the Israelites’ offerings so they would be fully accepted before the Lord. (Exodus 28:36).
Today, Jesus is our High Priest seated at Father’s right hand on the throne, forever representing us! (Hebrews 4:14-16). Beloved, you and I as believers are found IN HIM, And IN HIM only!
And that is exactly how our loving Lord is relating to us; by way of His Son! This is how He is righteously able to shower His blessings on us and flood us with His favor. Your thoughts, actions and feelings do not make you righteous. Jesus makes you righteous. He alone makes you the recipient of His goodness!
And if He took your place to give you His, has He not also taken your thoughts and replaced them with His?
So rest easy by taking no thought about your thoughts. I’m speaking to myself when I say, “Stop thinking so much and just let go.”
How about we stop taking ourselves too seriously while we’re at it…and learn to laugh at ourselves often.
Hey, would you believe that just by hearing this good news, your mind has been renewed?! Now relax in His presence and trust in the abundant supply He has for you this day.
Resting In His Love,
Annalee Reyes