“Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts” Proverbs 4:23 (GNT)

Your thought process is cardinal for shaping your life. I do not need to say more about it. You already know about it. If you think, you won’t pass a test, then most probably you won’t pass the test. If you think your job is hard, then it would be hard. On the contrary, if you think you would pass a test, then you would put time and effort into it and you would end up passing. If you think you would master your job, then you would put time and effort and find it rewarding and successful. 

Beloved, I am not talking about just positive thinking. What I am saying is this -the knowledge and understanding of the truth about you determine whom you would eventually become. 

Our today’s insight says, “Be careful how you think, your life is shaped by your thoughts.” Your thought process must be based on the truth. It must not be based on your feelings or what people say to you. Your thoughts must be based on truth only.  

How do you know the truth? Make yourself complete in the understanding of the truth. Jesus said in John 17:17 “sanctify them in the truth and God’s word is the truth.” Jesus also said and is recorded in John 8:32, “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. The truth is the Word of God (the Bible). The understanding of the truth sets you free to mold you become all God created to be.

God gave all the truths about you, the world in which you live, the past, present and future events in the pages of the Bible. The more you become familiar with the Bible, the more your life would be shaped by the truth and what God says about all of the above. 

There are at least five foundational truths you should keep in your mind every day. 

First, God created you in His image. He formed you in your mothers’ womb. You may not know your real parents. Even though, what God said about you is true. You are formed by God regardless of who your parents are. (Psalms 139:13-14)

Second, God loves you and cares about you, life now and future. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23.) God says in the Bible, “Even when you are old, I will be the same. Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I made you and will take care of you. I will carry you and save you.” Isaiah 46:4

Jesus said, “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” Matthew 6:30

“Cast all your anxieties on him (God), because he cares for you”. 1 peter 5:7

Romans 8:39, “Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Listen, if all leave you, He will never leave you nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5). 

Third, you belong to God. More than you belong to your parents, family, spouse or children, God says you belong to Him. In Isaiah 43:1 God says He created you and formed you and therefore fear not He has called you by your name, you are His.” Psalms 100:3 says, “Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.”

Fourth, remember God has the best plan for your life. No matter what age you are in now. You can seek God’s plan for your life right now. He will reveal His plan for your life. School student, college student, married, employee, boss, rich, poor, advanced in age- does not matter. God has a plan for your life. I hope without delay you would ask God to reveal his plan for your life. You see, He has a plan for your life now on the face of this earth and after your life. 

Fifth, God wants you to live with Him in heaven for throughout the eternity, not based on any merits from you, but based on the merit of His Son, Jesus Christ. God invites you to live with Him. You can accept God’s invitation love, by accepting Jesus Christ, who paid all your sins and shortcomings by His divine and sinless blood. If you accept Jesus as your savior, you have God and all you need in your life now on this earth and later when you close your eyes in death. You are the recipient of God’s love, care, and the best plan. 

One more thing – you must know you are a product of good things and bad things happened to you already. You did not have control over many things happened to you. Things happened without seeking your approval or permission. Perhaps you were abused by people. You may have been abandoned. Accidents or disabilities happened to you. You may have faced a series of failures in the past. All good things and bad things that happened in your life shape your personality.  

However, how do you see and evaluate yourself in the midst of all is your thinking process. This is where the power of truth comes in to transform you to view you from a bigger perspective. “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” 

Your thought must be at least based on the above five truths I elaborated on. 

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, please reveal your truth to me from the pages of the Bible. I accept your invitation to come to heaven and live with you forever at the point of my death here. I accept Jesus as my savior and Lord. I believe he died in my place for my sins and shortcomings. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”