Combat toxic thinking with "threshold" thinking

(Originally Published in the Daily Press, Religion Section 9-13-14)

Scientific research has begun to catch up with Scripture. According to the American Psychological Association in "Stress In America: Our Health at Risk" (2012), 78%-98% of all illnesses are a direct result of our thought life. Maybe this is in part why the Bible says to "take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5).  Physician and New York Times best selling author Don Colbert supports this stating "hostility may actually be a better predictor of coronary disease risk than the standard risk factors of smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol."

How we think significantly affects our stress levels, our brains and bodies, infiltrating our immune systems and hormone levels. This impacts our psychological and physical wellbeing and should be a wake up call; especially if you are a negative thinker.

Mark Twain was known for saying "I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened." What types of toxic thinking are affecting your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health? Has anyone ever said you were your own worst enemy and that you should get a restraining order against yourself?

We can literally make ourselves sick. Negative thoughts release chemicals that make us feel bad and compromise our body's efficiency. The opposite is true for hopeful, loving and grateful thoughts. The goal isn't positive thinking, but accurate and honest thinking. There's no time better than the present to be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rom. 12:2).

The greatest power God has given Christians is the power to choose: to choose our will or the will of God. This includes anything we choose to think about; allow our eyes to look upon; eat or drink; whom we enter into relationship with, and every other choice we make.

Consider Plan A as thinking and living God's way, by faith. Consider Plan B as thinking and living our own way, operating in our limited ability to reason.

Everyone struggles with wrong thoughts and desires so don't feel like an odd ball. But remember that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle - in fact God provides a way out each time we are tempted (1 Cor. 10:13).

At Freedom in Christ Ministries, we teach a practice called "threshold thinking." At the moment of temptation, we must learn to control the temptation at the threshold by refusing it, otherwise we run the risk of allowing the temptation to control us. Once a Christian has directed their thoughts toward Plan B we are rarely able to keep from following through with the act, which always leads to regret after time. Plan B grows strong when we entertain thoughts contrary to God's word. Conversely, Plan A grows strong when we spend time committing ourselves to God's way of living.

There is nothing we do that doesn't first run through the filter of our thoughts. A tempting choice that is not captured for Christ leads to an action. If the action is repeated consistently, it becomes a habit. If the habit is exercised long enough, it becomes a stronghold, and our ability to choose and act contrary to that pattern becomes virtually nonexistent.

It's not enough to imagine ourselves applying God's truth to our lives, we must actively obey God's truth.  Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs "trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."

The apostle Peter says we are to prepare our minds for action. We do that by taking captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

When you find your Plan A thinking is being challenged by Plan B thoughts, turn to God in prayer. It is there that stress is neutralized, our health is protected, and we find the peace which transcends all understanding and our hearts and minds are guarded in Christ Jesus.

The Rev. Heidi Summers is affiliated with Freedom in Christ Ministries, is a board certified pastoral counselor, board certified life coach and is currently completing her doctorate at Fuller Theological Seminary.