Just a thought

I was askedI was asked a probing question yesterday.  “What is your favorite memory?”  I realized I couldn’t think of one particular favorite memory.  How could I possibly remember just one particular memory?  As I pondered this, I realized, that for me, the memories that have made the deepest impression, have been difficult ones.  I have a tendency to remember painful things more easily than happy things.  How sad is that.  It made me realize just how important it is that I manage the thoughts in my mind consciously.  It seems that my mind defaults to the negative automatically, and in order to focus on positive things, I have to put effort into it.  I need to consciously think about what I allow in my head.  I don’t know if anyone else has experienced this, but it was a wake up call for me.  I don’t let my mind just wander aimlessly or anything, it’s just that, like excercising my body, I must consciously get up and get on the treadmill in my head.   If I don’t choose, it seems I resort to the default mode of negative memory.  The Word of God tells me to “Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”  if I “fix my eyes on Jesus,” He becomes my mind manager.  I can choose what I focus on much easier, if I do it in His strength.  If I spend my time thinking on all that is good, right and honorable, etc. (See Philippians 4) I won’t have time to think the wrong thoughts.  Practically speaking, If I do the “do’s”, I won’t have time, or desire, to do the “don’ts.”  Just a thought