How To Think

Originally Posted July 2, 2021

I try to say a prayer each morning that Pope John Paul II learned from his father. It begins, “ O Holy Spirit, love of the Father and Son inspire me in how to think….” (It goes on with several other admonitions.) 

Boy, this is a great way to begin each day…. “Holy Spirit help me to “think” correctly”. Everything begins in my mind and soul. What do I think about this or that…. how should I think about this. I wake up and feel great or I wake up and feel lousy. I wake up with a full schedule, with important meetings or jobs or appointments, or I wake up with nothing on my schedule …. Holy Spirit, how should I think about all of this?

Getting the mind of Christ enables me to know how to think properly. Studying God’s word, meditating on it enables me to know how to think. How do I look at things in light of God’s word, in light of God’s truth. Taking time to pray helps me to know how to think about various issues …. recalling Philippians 4:8 is a very good start,  “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Phil. 4:8)

The more we take on the mind of Christ, the more clearly we will think right about various issues in our life. And when we embrace God’s point of view, we will have peace…. the peace that passes all understanding. It’s the Holy Spirit that can empower us to do this.

Rising in the morning, my mind is frequently off in several directions… much of it overwhelming and scattered and filled with fear. When I invite the Holy Spirit to help me to think correctly, things settle down. “Oh the Lord is helping my wife or child or friend with that illness, that surgery, that job crisis, that relationship problem, that difficult situation ….  we prayed and I know the Lord will help us. God is with us…. I have no more reason to fear….. oh Holy Spirit, help me to think correctly about this.”

Well, I know this is often easier said than done, but nevertheless, God will help us. He will help us to think properly and when we do we will abide in peace and “all will be well with my soul”. And if you’re not sure where to begin, look at the book of Proverbs….“For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Prov. 2:6)