Pictures and thoughts can be deleted

Philippians 4:8 (ESV)

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

If you are like most people, you love taking pictures with your iPod, camera, or phone. Each picture you take shows a piece of your life. And some of these are so great, you have to share them on social media so all your friends can see.

Imagine if you will that every thought you have in a day is like a picture stored on your phone. Some you look at and decide “that wasn’t too great- I look stupid” and hit delete.

Did you know that your thoughts are similar to photos? They contain an image. Some thoughts you should choose to keep and others you choose delete. Every day you can scroll through your thoughts and ask yourself “is this thought worth keeping?” So with that in mind, here’s some tips to help you develop good mental pictures:

1 – Bad Thoughts Can Be Deleted

If you have a thought that is a negative image, one that doesn’t make you smile, then delete it from your thinking.

Many times, we don’t take any time to think about what we think about. Getting into the habit of deleting bad thoughts is important because our self-image is based upon how we think about ourselves. Don’t spend tons of time thinking about things that aren’t good. Instead delete those thoughts and replace them with good thoughts.

2 – Thoughts Can Be Shared.

Each time you take a picture on your phone you have the choice to share it or not. If you really like how you look, most likely, you’ll choose to share it on some social media platform. You want others to see what you’re up to and interact with what you shared.

As you know, everything you post on social media sites reflects you. It’s like a billboard that tells everybody what you are thinking and doing. So ask yourself, what image are you portraying? Are you posting your fears, your emotions, your hang-ups?

The things you post and speak reflect your thoughts. If you’re constantly speaking negative things and posting negative things, it’s a reflection what you’re thinking about. If you wonder how people see you, just check out what you’re sharing with others.

There’s nothing wrong with sharing your thoughts, but what you say and share often affects your attitude. If you’re always speaking and sharing negative things, often your attitude and outlook will follow. Your attitude is determined by what you think about. Spend time thinking good things and your outlook and attitude will follow.

There’s power in sharing positive things and avoiding spending too much time talking and sharing things that are negative.

Tip #3 – Thoughts = Success

The images you look at daily determine your success online and in life. If you always look at the images where you don’t look good, you’ll begin to believe that you’re ugly or don’t measure up. What you look at on your phone matters.

In the same way, your thoughts are linked to what you look at and listen to. Take some time to examine what you’re letting your eyes and ears feast on. If you’re having a hard time keeping your thoughts positive, pay attention to what you’re looking at and listening to.

If you want to propel your life forward, begin to examine what you’re thinking about. If you have a thought isn’t a good one don’t hesitate…delete it from your thinking. Thinking good thoughts will help you achieve success.

Dear Lord, help us listen to our thoughts more and delete those that we don’t want developed in us. Help us not always say what we feel, but instead say what we want in our life and what will help other people. Help us to come to You with our hurts and feelings in prayer. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Thoughts

Philippians 4:8 (ESV)

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

I want you to imagine that every thought you have in a day is like a picture stored on your phone. Some you look at and decide “that wasn’t too great- I look stupid” and hit delete.

Did you know that your thoughts are similar to photos? They contain an image. Some thoughts you should choose to keep and others you choose delete. Every day you can scroll through your thoughts and ask yourself “is this thought worth keeping?” So with that in mind, here’s some tips to help you develop good mental pictures:

1 – Bad Thoughts Can Be Deleted

If you have a thought that is a negative image, one that doesn’t make you smile, then delete it from your thinking.

2 – Thoughts Can Be Shared.

Each time you take a picture on your phone you have the choice to share it or not. If you really like how you look, most likely, you’ll choose to share it on some social media platform. You want others to see what you’re up to and interact with what you shared.

As you know, everything you post on social media sites reflects you. It’s like a billboard that tells everybody what you are thinking and doing. So ask yourself, what image are you portraying? Are you posting your fears, your emotions, your hang-ups?

The things you post and speak reflect your thoughts. If you’re constantly speaking negative things and posting negative things, it’s a reflection what you’re thinking about. If you wonder how people see you, just check out what you’re sharing with others.

There’s nothing wrong with sharing your thoughts, but what you say and share often affects your attitude. If you’re always speaking and sharing negative things, often your attitude and outlook will follow. Your attitude is determined by what you think about. Spend time thinking good things and your outlook and attitude will follow.

There’s power in sharing positive things and avoiding spending too much time talking and sharing things that are negative.

Dear Lord, help us listen to our thoughts more and delete those that we don’t want developed in us. Help us to come to You with our hurts and feelings in prayer. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Not Our Thoughts

Isaiah 55:8-9 (New International Version)

 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

   neither are your ways my ways,”

            declares the LORD.

9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,

   so are my ways higher than your ways

   and my thoughts than your thoughts.

James Hector was a surveyor. In 1858, his job was to seek safe passage through the Canadian Rockies for the upcoming Canadian Pacific Railroad.

While mapping the Kicking Horse Pass, he ran out of food, was kicked by his horse (thus the name, "Kicking Horse Pass") and nearly died of exhaustion while struggling to climb the final steep pitch of that "Big Hill" as the locals called it. Needless to say, he recommended that this particular pass was far too dangerous for a railroad. Instead, he suggested the Yellowhead Pass, two hundred kilometers to the north, which had a much gentler slope.

Despite his warnings, the railway decided in favor of the Kicking Horse Pass. Their reasons were simple:

- The Kicking Horse Pass was more adequately located in the South, enough to block any American competition (we had to be careful of those Yankees!)

- The Kicking Horse Pass was shorter than the Yellow head Pass and would require 122 km less rail line.

Once build, it was discovered that in order for a fifteen-car train to climb the "Big Hill" (which was FAR from being a hill, believe me!), four extra pusher engines were needed. Even with those four extra engines, the ascent was slow and tedious. Once at the summit, the worst was not yet behind them. The train then had to descend a very steep slope. The first train to try this derailed, plunged into a nearby river, and killed three men.

Being aware that tourism would plunge (literally!) When they heard the news, the railway authorities quickly convened. They decided to build three spur lines to catch any runaway trains. The spur switches were left open, and the switchmen were instructed to not close them unless they were certain the train was not a "runaway".

This system was used for the next twenty-five years. I'm sure that if I had lived in that day and age, my kids would have seen this particular ride as a roller coaster and would have begged to take the train to British Columbia. I, on the other hand, would have avoided it at all costs! I can only hope that most of the people of that time were wise enough to ignore their kids and choose safety! But even when there weren't passengers on the trains, the train conductors hauling cargo to British Columbia were still putting their lives at risk.

Desiring to keep their passengers and train machinery safe, the Canadian Pacific Railway addressed this problem in 1909 by building the "Spiral Tunnels". Trains would now pass through a series of tunnels, with each tunnel making a complete spiraling turn under the original pass as the railway gradually ascended and descended the "Big Hill" of Kicking Horse Pass. As the tunnels spiraled upward, trains actually crossed over and under themselves!

Though the addition of the tunnels doubled the length of the pass, the grade was cut in half. Now only two engines were needed to haul the cargo of 15 wagons, and they were able to make the ascent at five times the speed. Traveling from the Canadian east coast to the west was finally safe.

So often we make foolish decisions that negatively affect ourselves and those around us. Only by depending completely on God for all of our decisions can we be assured of wisdom beyond our abilities.

Dear Lord we pray that we would completely rely upon You. We pray that when it’s time to make decisions, we would look to You in all that we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.