Yes, I've created a new verb: to Philippians 4:8 or for short to P48. When I started my adventure about three years ago to take every thought captive (2 Cor. 10:5), I created a system of phone reminders to sound about every hour throughout the day. According to now popular neuroscience, it takes about 84 days to solidly build a new thinking habit or rewire your brain so to speak. The practical application is rather simple: the more we choose to think healthy, truth-filled thoughts, the quicker we become at recognizing those unhealthy, toxic thoughts that knock (or sometimes bang) at our mind's door. Currently I have about 42 brief reminders that grab my attention - and they all have to do with my identity in Christ and what I should be choosing to do or think about. I have the reminders set on a cycle; some appear daily, while others buzz in every other day or weekly, etc. I am often amazed at how timely a reminder might be on a given day. They beep in just when I need to reorient myself to God's Truth and purpose for my life! Sometimes these truths even make me teary eyed because they've struck a chord in my heart. Sometimes they make me smile as I take a moment to meditate on that truth and what it means to me at that moment. I borrowed this reminder idea from Dr. David Levy (a neurosurgeon) from one of his podcast messages. I think he only had one or two reminders, while I went hog wild with about 42 of these good boys! P48 reminders should be highly personalized and updated from time to time. If you find yourself ignoring or checking them off mindlessly when they sound, you may need to reword them or ask a question instead of make a declaration. If you are trying to detox your brain or have identified your danger zones when it comes to your emotional health it might just be time for you to P48 your thought life! This simple approach allows you to guard your heart daily! This is such a quick and simple method to help you overcome counterproductive thinking patterns and negative thoughts and emotions. A few of mine read like this:
I hope you try it today! Go ahead! It's time to P48 your thought life! Please comment below about what your first reminder would be. :) Comments are closed.
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