We Become What We Think About

As I write this short article with my computer, I thought: It is amazing how like a computer the mind is. A computer has a big memory bank where it stores whatever is put into it (Think of downloading data). The only thing you can get out of a computer is what you have put into it. There is an old computer term, GIGO, which stands for Garbage In/Garbage Out. It means if you put worthless, inaccurate, or faulty information into a computer, you will get worthless, inaccurate, or faulty information out of it.

The same is true of our minds. If we put worthless, inaccurate, or faulty information into our minds, that is all we will get out of it. But, unlike computers, however, the mind can create its own worthless, inaccurate, or faulty information. It doesn’t have to be put in from the outside. Someone can, for example, tell us as a child that we are stupid (or ugly), and we will water, fertilize, and nurture that seedling into a forest of negative thoughts and emotions. That is why it is so critical that we exercise great care in what we allow into our minds and what we allow our minds to dwell on.

Therefore, guard carefully what we put into our minds, and what we allow our minds to dwell on. (There are three big trouble spots in keeping our mind focused on good things: the media, our friends, and our inner thought life. Be prayerful). Having said that, there are enormous values of keeping the right, positive and Godly thoughts. The greatest of these is you’ll develop a Christian mind. So, not only we must keep the bad stuff out – we must put the good stuff in. The mind is powerfully influenced by what we put into it and what we allow it to dwell upon.  The Scripture commanded us as Paul writes: “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9).

Remember: We become what we think about.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.