August 20, 2012
The Process of Thought
“Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is the probable reason so few engage in it.”
- Henry Ford, Sr.
When teaching school, occasionally I would hear a student complain by saying, ‘It hurts to think.’ Now in reality, the process required to think is rather painless. I suppose it can be strenuous at times: and sometimes the conclusions reached by the process of thinking through something can lead to painful changes brought about by decisions made: but still the brain activity required to process thought, in and of itself is not inherently painful, unless there is some abnormality or dysfunction.
Yet there is something about the process of thinking that causes many folks to attempt to avoid it if at all possible.
Do you remember being told as a child: or even telling your children or grandchildren, if you have them, to ‘think before you speak’ or better yet to ‘think before you act’?
Do you ever wonder if God, our Heavenly Father, wants to tell us to think before we say or do some of the things we do?
“Great thoughts reduced to practice become great acts.”
- William Hazlitt
Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits. Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men.
Romans 12:14-18
We all know God’s thoughts are not like ours; for they are much greater, much higher and much purer than ours can ever be. We also know that we can not by thought change or add to our stature: yet God by a thought can revolutionize the world or change the dimensions or complexion of any object or thing.
Yet still, we need to think: we need to process the information we have before us: isn’t that ultimately what thinking is? And we need to hold ourselves accountable to make choices and decisions; to take actions and speak words that will reflect our understanding, wisdom and knowledge of who God is and what He wants for us and others.
Today’s Prayer
Father, I tend to think a lot, and often my thoughts are random, disorganized and occasionally even useless: but I ask that you will bring every thought I have under your authority and help these thoughts to be aligned with what you would desire and may they move me towards those things that would enable me to be obedient to you.
“Give me your eyes
For just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I’ve been missing
Give me your love for humanity.
Give me your arms for the brokenhearted
Ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see“
- Lyrics from ‘Give Me Your Eyes’ by Brandon Heath and Jason Ingram
No comments:
Post a Comment