September 29, 2025

Minding Your Thoughts

A Biblical Overview of Obtaining and Maintaining a Biblical Thought Life

Psalms 119:113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

So do I! Some time ago I began to be bothered by a certain thought. It was a thought that was vain, it was not based in reality, it was not reasonable, it was not true, it was however a trouble to my mind. I knew it was mentally unhealthy for me to dwell on this thought, but I couldn’t seem to shake it. This thought brought fear to me, it caused me to lose joy, it seemed to hinder my every waking moment, and it began to interfere with my interaction with others. I knew that I must shake that thought but couldn’t.

I hated that vain thought, I desired that it would be banished from my consciousness, but I could not seem to get victory over it. After about three days of this mental struggle, I decided it was enough. I prayed about it, explaining it all to the Lord and asking for His help in overcoming this negative thought. I read my Bible and found some verses that gave me assurance that God would help my thought life. Then, as that thought came into my mind I simply told myself, “I’m not thinking about that today, I’ve given it to the Lord and refuse to allow it in my mind.” 

It worked! After two days that thought never reared its ugly head again. Even now, while writing about it that thought is gone; it no longer has any power over my emotions. I share this with you because it may help you. I hope so. We all from time to time have vain thoughts that try to cripple our mental wellbeing. Next time try this remedy: pray about it, give it to God, find a Scripture or two that reminds you of the Lord’s power in your life, and then when it comes tell yourself, “I’m not thinking about that today” or something to that point. I hope that my struggle will help you, it may be the very reason the Lord allowed it into my life.

May the Lord Bless and be pleased with your thought life today.

Dr. William Howe