#111: Thought Steering

Would you ever take your hands off the steering wheel and let the car go wherever the wheels pulled it? Absolutely not! That would be completely irresponsible. The car would veer off the road and the result could be a tragic injury. You must stay in constant control of the vehicle; making continuous, subtle corrections to keep the car in the right lane.

Just like the car will go anywhere with no control of the wheel, your thoughts can physically take you down paths that morally you would never go or imagine yourself acting in ways you would never actually act. If you would never actually “do” that thing, then why do you allow your brain to “think” about it or play with the idea?

Thoughts are directly linked to your emotions and pave a pathway for real action and real feelings.

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Thoughts are not innocent motion pictures passing through your mind’s eye. They are directly linked to your emotions and pave a pathway for real action and real feelings. Have you ever let your mind play out a situation where you were a part of the scene? As the dramatic story develops in your head, you start to feel the anger, sadness, or joy of the situation. Maybe it even brought you to tears. Thoughts are very powerful, and they can emotionally pull you off the road.

Imagine a lady that is unhappy in her relationship with her husband. A pleasant thought flows through her mind about a beautiful life with someone else. It is comforting and exciting to watch this play out in her mind. Her thoughts are continually about leaving her husband and imagining the love with another. No one saw these thoughts; only her, but her thoughts are pulling her farther “off the road” and away from her husband. These thoughts are paving a way for her to physically take the next step. She is becoming comfortable with the thought to the point where she has already left her husband emotionally; she just needs to take the next step – the easy one – and leave him physically. She let go of her thought steering and blazed a different road toward a tragic end.

If thoughts can be dangerous and destructive, they can also be healing and motivate you toward great things. You are the one in control of this steering wheel. Where are you going to take your thoughts today? Whatever you do, don’t let go of the steering wheel. You have to direct your thoughts down the road that will glorify God.

Psalm 94:19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.

The key is to bring “… into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5) You do not get to let go of the steering wheel and let your thoughts run wild. You get to control each one. It takes a conscious effort to be aware of what is running through your brain and to decide to accept or reject it. Sometimes you must grab that steering wheel and yank the brain back on the road! If you diligently control your thoughts, you will arrive at the right destination.

Proverbs 21:5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness…

If thoughts can pave the way to real action, then creating thoughts of serving the Lord could pave the way toward better service toward Him. This is a huge step from letting anything flow through your brain, to forcing your brain to think of things that will bring glory to your wonderful Lord.

1 Corinthians 7:24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

You are a Christian. Abide with God both physically and mentally. Focus your thoughts on Him and how you can serve Him. Ask Him questions; pray and talk to Him. Imagine yourself serving Him and the glorious results. Drive your thoughts down the road so your next step for the Lord will be easy to take.

If your brain is filled with conversation with your Lord and focused on what you can do for Him, you will not get distracted and let go of the steering wheel. You will be in control of your thoughts with constant attention on Him. It takes courage to control your thoughts and then strength to turn them into righteous action.

Joshua 23:6 Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;

Thoughts are a very powerful force in your life. To ignore that fact is to let go of the steering wheel and let them take you wherever they want. You will be surprised where you end up emotionally and physically. The alternative is to choose what you will think about. This choice will determine what will direct your next actions.

Joshua 24:15 …choose you this day whom ye will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Your thoughts are your choice. You do not have to be a victim of your thoughts. You are in control. Are you going to serve fear, passion, drama, bitterness, conflict, or escape? Or are you going to take conscious control of your thoughts and thus serve the Lord?

Related Bible Passages:

Joshua 23
Psalms 94
Proverbs 21
1 Corinthians 7

Have a face to face conversation with your Lord:

Lord, where have my thoughts taken me?

Lord, what have my thoughts led me to do?

Lord, how can I make your strength more evident through my failures and weaknesses? 

Lord, have I allowed my thoughts to take me somewhere I should not go?

Lord, I want to control my thoughts. I want my thoughts to keep me on the right road and pave the way for me to do great things for you….

If you are interested in having a collection of these devotional conversations, consider purchasing the books. They are available from Amazon by clicking here.