In 1985, medical research conducted at the University of Maryland School of Medicine showedhow internal and external dialogue significantly affects our blood pressure, hearts, and alter the biochemistry of individual tissues at the farthest extremities of our bodies.
In 2005, the National Science Foundation published an article regarding research about human thoughts per day. The average person has about 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day. Of those, 80% are negative and 95% are exactly the same repetitive thoughts as the day before and about 80% are negative.
These studies reveal that the quality of our existence rests on the quality of our internal and external communication. It also reveals how our bodies respond to the way we think, feel and act. This is often called the“mind-body-spirit connection.” When we feel guilt and shame or stress and anxiety our bodies cry out to tell us that something isn’t right. For example, high blood pressure or a stomach ulcer might develop after a particularly stressful event.
If 80% of our thoughts are negative and 95% of them are repetitive, then we have a built in spiritual problem! We must realize that we are spiritual beings living in a human body. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a French philosopher and jesuit priest, said it best, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” From this perspective, we must identify this spiritual problem as a pervasive problem that infects our mind, will, emotions, physical body. It’s like a negative default programming that is hard wired into our entire being. It is not just a tendency to be negative or do a bad thing once in a while, it is a sinful nature that we are born with, a nature that is totally at odds with God. And it is our sin that separates us from arelationship with God.
God has a solution! A new nature or a “new birth.” Jesus said “Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to—to God’s kingdom” (John 3:3). This new birth is not a religion but a transformation from a sinful nature to a new nature with a new heart, newdesires, and a new mind, and a new direction.
How do we attain this new nature? The Bible says “Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites“ (Acts 2:38, Message).
This Scripture gives us a holistic perspective with very practical advice! Going to God first renews our spirit. By fixing our attention on God and learning His Word we create new blueprints for our minds. If we do not captivate our thinking process, then the old blueprints become our default programming and we are back to the same old destructive patterns of the past. Our thoughts have a profound affect on our emotions, and by learning how to thinkin our own best interest, we improve our emotional condition.
How do I changemy thinking?
2) Remove them, and
3) Replace your misbeliefs with God’s thoughts about you.
Jerry’s Misbeliefs | Jerry’s Truths |
Instead of saying, “I’m a failure and I’m no good,” |
He said: “The marriage failed. But I am deeply loved by God. Therefore I am important.” |
Instead of saying, “I’m so lonely and miserable,” | He said: “I’m alone but I am not lonely.” |
Instead of saying, “I’m separated from my family and there’s no joy anymore for me,” | He said: “I’m separated from my family and that hurts. I can function even though I hurt. |
"This new birth is not a religion but a transformation from a sinful nature to a new nature with a new heart, new desires, and a new mind, and a new direction." In the context of the article's theme, this line is central. Love it…