By Liza Grace
I don’t know
about y’all but my thought life isn’t something I’d want played on a giant TV
for all my friends to see! My thoughts can be harsh, discouraging,
uncharitable, unkind, ungodly, and selfish.
I was very aware of that and tried to
clean up my thought life but I didn’t know how. Then I heard of what my family
calls the Springboard Approach. I don’t even remember how I heard of it, but it
has helped me grow in my thought life and enabled me to even glorify God with
my thoughts!
The Springboard
Approach is simply to turn to Scripture, prayer or godly song or poem lyrics
when you think a bad thought. Just like you can’t shove all the darkness out of
a room to make it light, you also can’t just stop thinking bad thoughts hoping
good ones will pop into your mind!
This can be difficult and it requires a
lot of will power, but I personally think it’s one of the best things you could
do (Besides accepting Jesus!) because what fills your heart and mind comes out
in your speech and actions.
The Springboard
Approach can be used in many different areas! I like to use it to deal with
crushes and comparison. As soon as I think of that special someone or I
catch myself harshly judging someone for their looks I can “spring” from that
thought straight to Scripture!
This is a great
tool also because if Satan knows that every time you think a bad thought you go
straight to the Scriptures, he will stop sending those thoughts!
Like I said,
this requires a lot of will power sometimes! But its so worth it to glorify our
great big God with our minds!
“Blessed are the pure in heart for they
shall see God.”
Matthew
5:8
“I have stored up Your Word in my
heart, that I might not sin against You.”
Psalm
119:11
Practical Tips:
--Make a list of the sorts of sinful thoughts that enter your mind
(like comparison) and set up springboards for each one. Mine have a person to
pray for and a memory verse.
--Whenever you catch yourself sinning with your mind, recall your
springboards. It takes a lot of
practice, diligence, and God’s grace, but killing impure thoughts will purify your
motives, attitudes, words, etc.
--When you fail, don’t give up. Because God’s grace is stronger and
bigger than your sins. “For I am
confident in this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect
it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
What do you think about the Springboard Approach? Do you plan on using it? What sorts of springboards would you use? Share in the comments!
This is a great idea. It reminds me of Pilgrim's Progress and how Christian dealt with temptation. He thought of the cross, his new garment, and threw scripture in the face of the enemy. Thank you for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteI loooooooooooooooooove Pilgrim's Progress! :) And that's the exact same idea! So glad you enjoyed the post! :) :)
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