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Just as we should periodically detox our bodies, we must do the same for our minds. Mental cleansing of negative pollutants will help you to develop a better focus and balance in your life.

Gods Morning/Afternoon!

Read that again, thats not a typo. We should welcome and greet the start of each day with a positive mind and a grateful heart. Whatever you do, do not let anything or anyone including yourself steal your joy! If you are not intentionally guarded, negative thoughts can become the agents of self-sabotaging or defeatism behaviors.

Imagine the countless missed opportunities and relationships because you were simply afraid to fail or look foolish.

I challenge you to eliminate stinking thinking which is foul and unproductive mental chatter. Its a self-destructive thought process that grips you with a litany of negative What if? scenarios that never seems to suggest a favorable outcome.

Apostle Paul penned a message to the Philippian Church while he was imprisoned. Despite his own circumstances, the frequent theme of his writing was of joy and rejoicing. To make his point, he repetitively used expressions such as "Rejoice, and again I say rejoice; rejoice in your sufferings, rejoice in your difficulties.

Paul instructed the Church in Philippians 4:6-7, Dont worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done. Then you will experience Gods peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds.

While this was written centuries ago, it is still relevant today. A songwriter once said, If youre going to pray dont worry. These behaviors of praying and worrying are incongruent with each other. You must make a choice, so choose wisely!

Negative thinking can zap the joy out of life and can even take a toll on your physical well-being. I challenge you to exercise your spiritual memory muscle reflect and think of Gods goodness, grace and mercy.

I once shared that you have survived 100 percent of your worst days! Use those past experiences as a framework of reference when presented with current dilemmas.

Negative thinking actually contributes to anxiety. Just as we should periodically detox our bodies, we should do the same for our minds. Mental cleansing of negative pollutants will help you to develop a better focus and balance in your life. Pandemic or otherwise, you need to take a break from the daily stressors, anxieties and distractions.

These activities can include tasks such as leisure walking, deep breathing, stretching exercises and powering down your electronic devices.

Watch what your mind is consuming. Whatever you are watching or hearing is food for your mind. Take note: Whatever you feed and nourish your mind today will have an effect later. I recommend you keep yourself occupied with something productive and positive. What types of nutrients are you feeding your mind?

Personally, I love linguistics so I have a goal of learning the meaning of a new word and use it in my vocabulary daily. Make small manageable, yet meaningful steps. What types of nutrients are you feeding your mind? Personally, I love linguistics so I have a goal of learning the meaning of a new word and use it in my vocabulary daily.

I also advise that you avoid knee-jerk reactions. Take a break, think, and then respond. No matter how much we filter the information we are getting into our minds, we can easily seize upon something negative and run with it.

In fact, Paul continued in Philippians 4:8, And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

When you think about God it should produce thanks from your heart. Growing up in the era of congregational devotion services before worship, I marveled hearing the senior saints give testimony of just thinking of Gods goodness and all that Hes done for them. These spiritual flashbacks would have them proclaiming, My soul cries out Hallelujah! Thank God for saving me!"

When you think about the doors God has opened in your life, then you ought to thank Him for provision. When you think about how He made your enemies behave, then you ought tothank Him for protection. When you think of the times God healed your mind or body, thank Him for restoration. When you think of where God brought you from, then you ought to thank God for being by your side. When you think of the abiding peace while in the valley of the shadow of death then you just ought to thank Him for being a deliverer.

I approach these weekly installments similar to preparing my Sunday messages which is not solely to deliver a good message but rather to share a message that will do some good. It is my hope that you will set your thoughts on a plane that pleases God that elevates your dreams and visions. David declares this truth in Psalms 139:1-2, O Lord, You have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when Im far away.

It is my hope that you will set your thoughts on a plane that pleases God that elevates your dreams and visions.

Dear Lord,

I am yours and I am grateful that I belong to YOU. All that I am, all that I have, all that I hope to be, is simply because of Your grace and mercy.Thankfully, despite at times the frustrating journey, I now stand at the borders of destiny.I thank You for accepting me just as I am imperfections and all. I come with arms open wide, trusting You with my life which has been gracefully broken.

Lord, I invite and welcome Your power, purpose and presence in my life. Chase back my ego, thwart any selfish ambitions and allow me to give myself fully to You. While some may trust in chariots and others trust in horses, but I trust in Your strong Name.

As I welcome the dawn of a new day, fill me with Your POWER, fill me with Your GRACE, fill me with Your PEACE. Empower me with Your Spirit and embolden me with Your Word so that even when I become battle-worn and fatigued by the rigors of life I will continue to keep the faith.It is so.

The Rev. Lewis W. Macklin II serves as the lead pastor of Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, chaplain for the Youngstown Police Department and local coordinator for the African American Male Wellness Walk of the Mahoning Valley. He resides in Youngstown with Dorothy, his partner in marriage and ministry. They share the love and joy of six children and seven grandchildren.

All biblical citations are New Living Translation unless noted otherwise.

Read more from the original source:
KEEPING THE FAITH | You must start each day with a positive mind and a grateful heart - Mahoning Matters