Today, I want to continue on our journey of finishing the year well. I want to talk about your thought life because what you think determines your future.
Henry Ford is attributed as saying “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.”
King Solomon in his book of Proverbs put it this way,
“For as he thinks within himself, so he is.” Proverbs 23:7
Mohammad Ali is quoted as saying, “What you’re thinking is what you’re becoming.”
Your thoughts matter. Jesus says it another way.
“If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.” Mark 3:25
You might ask what that verse has to do with mindset and finishing the year well. You will not finish well if you do not unite your thoughts with the plans and purposes of God.
Take a moment and ask yourself if your house is divided. Here’s what I mean by that.
If you spend too much time on and give too much attention to the failures or mistakes of the past nine months of the year, you are splitting your focus. Your house is divided.
If you say you trust the Lord in all things, but then find yourself fretting over or worrying needlessly about the next 10-12 weeks, your house is divided.
If you know the Lord wants you to rest, but you find your day filled with a to-do list that is longer than you can accomplish, your house is divided.
Even if you spend too much time and give too much attention to dreaming about your future, but not doing the work to accomplish it, your house is divided.
If you speak of your year end goals, but allow the upcoming holidays to derail your progress, your house is divided.
As Jesus said,
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.” Matthew 6:24
The apostle James called it being double-minded.
“For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:7-8
What you think, you become. When you dwell on your lack, it will manifest in your life. When you allow your circumstances to become more important than God’s promises. They will.
No wonder the apostle Paul wrote,
“We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:5
You soar with God when you take any thought captive that rises up against the promises of God. Those are the thoughts that divide your “house.” Those are the thoughts that cause you to become double-minded with doubt and discouragement.
Soar into your amazing future, Dear Ones. Unite your thoughts with your God-given identity and purpose. Unite your thoughts with God’s Truth—the truth of who God says you are and what He says you can accomplish.
Use His truth as your true north as you navigate the next weeks and months to the end of the year.
I encourage you to:
-Stay intentional.
-Stay in the Presence of the One who created you and ordained you for your purpose.
-Stay encouraged through daily time in the Word of God.
-Stay single-minded by taking your thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ.
-Stay on your unique path by taking the step that is right before you. Keep walking.
You will finish well and experience the so much more that the Lord has for you in 2024 when you stay connected to who God says you are and what God says you can do.