PROBLEM THINKING

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.  - Albert Einstein

For fear of a little "TMI" I actually saw this quote in the restroom of a law firm yesterday. I was meeting with someone (not in the restroom mind you, but his office) who is becoming a dear friend and soon to be a powerful advocate for the addicted in Knox and surrounding counties.

But I was struck by the quote not because it was something I hadn’t heard or seen in the past, but because it really seemed “relevant”.

Yesterday was the single largest group ever interviewed in one day at the REFUGE.  We accepted the largest number of men in one orientation in the history of the ministry.  Our Hope over Heroin aftercare team(s) were almost overwhelmed by others who were also realizing what Einstein had hypothesized.

Folks are EMBRACING the idea that same kind of thinking was no longer going to work; they were realizing that in order for things to change, thinking must first change!  And that starts with altering our thinking away from what is often responsible for our “messes” to thinking motivated by the promise of a SOUND mind from GOD!

For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind! 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)

One of the simple but often overlooked realities is we CAN choose what we think about.

Proverbs 23:7 (AMP) says, “As [a man/(woman) thinks in his (her) heart, so is he (she).”  So why WOULD we NOT listen to Einstein and avoid “PROBLEM THINKING” & move toward “SOLUTION THINKING”?

But you might being asking how?  

Here is how! 

First, set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things…”

(Colossians 3:2 AMP).

Second, “Do not be conformed to this world…but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind…”

(Romans 12:2 AMP).

Third,...prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control.

(1 Peter 1:13 NLT).

Simply put, we need put aside the PROBLEM THINKING so we can be clear for GOD’S NEW action plan and HIS thinking for our lives.

So in order to do as Einstein and MORE importantly GOD says to do:

…keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind.  And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising Him always." Philippians 4:8 (PT)

That will solve that PROBLEM THINKING for sure…

I love you ALL!

Opportunities for Hope (Champions Charge)