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“Am I responsible for all the thoughts I think?”

A thought by H. Norman Wright DMin. from his book, A Better Way to Think: Using Positive Thoughts to Change Your Life (p.26). Baker Publishing Group (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

That is a good question.

Norman says, “For the answer, we can look at Scripture.

“We can have great intentions to follow this directive: ‘Set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth’ (Col. 3:2 AMP). But even when we’re trying to do that, we have those other not-so-good, not-so-healthy, not-so-Christian thoughts that flash on the screens of our minds. We didn’t want them. We didn’t invite them. They just showed up.

“In most cases, we can’t stop specific thoughts from coming to mind. Our task is to manage them once they arrive.

“It’s like the different individuals who come to your door. Some might walk right in without being invited. Do you invite them to stay? I doubt it. You evict them.

“Once unwelcome thoughts pop in, you have the choice to either allow them to stay or kick them out. That’s where your responsibility lies. Think about it: What does the word set mean to you in the verse from Colossians?

“Thoughts about recent trauma, or even trauma from far in the past, all the way back to childhood, also may flash through your mind.

“Vivid dreams or nightmares, as well as thoughts, may take up residence in your mind. You feel as if you’re reliving the event over again. The experience seems embedded or tattooed on your brain.”

Norman says, “Bottom line: We need to kick out unwelcome, uninvited, negative thoughts, and ‘set our minds,’ as Scripture instructs, on thoughts that are good, healthful, uplifting, and positive.”

He then says, “I look at it like this: Every now and then, a strange animal wanders into my yard. I didn’t invite it. And if it shows potential to do harm, I must engage in damage control before it affects me or my property.

“We need to treat our thoughts with the same urgency.”

Yes we do, don’t we?

Yes, yes!
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