“We resist weak thinking by the power and grace of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:13
“There isn’t any temptation that you have experienced which is unusual for humans. God, who faithfully keeps His promises, will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to resist. But when you are tempted He will also give you the ability to endure the temptation as your way of escape.” (GOD’S WORD Version)
We can be weak-minded at times. We are all occasionally tempted to think wrong things—the wrong things about people, the wrong thing about situations or events and even the wrong things about what God has promised.
Imagine taking a mountain hike. You want to reach the pinnacle because you’ve been told the view is magnificent. The trail looks fairly easy from the bottom, but as you get close to the top, the path becomes treacherous–the summit is steep and rocky. As you begin experiencing discomfort you may be tempted to think, “This is too hard. Why did I do this? I should turn around and go back.” That’s how a weak mind thinks.
How we handle the temptation to “think weak” determines whether we will finish our course. Giving in to thoughts of fear and doubt are detrimental to victory. When we give in to those thoughts we begin to get hopeless, negative and depressed about the future. We resist weak thinking by the power and grace of God.
The grace of God encourages us. It’s the voice that says, “You’re almost there. You have come too far to quit.” The voice of temptation says, “You’re tired. The view probably isn’t that spectacular anyway. You should quit and go home.”
We are supposed to resist the voice of temptation, not rehearse it over and over again in our minds. As we refuse to focus on the voice of temptation, we will begin to experience the grace (power to overcome) of God more abundantly. Then we can endure whatever we need to endure in order to accomplish our goals.
Remember, no matter what the temptation is…God’s grace is greater!
5 Keys for Strong Thinking
- Ask God for strength. Remember, you have not because you ask not. (Read James 4:2)
- Talk about the result you want to achieve, not the problems you are facing. Faith comes by hearing. (Read Romans 10:17)
- Focus on solutions. Write them down and choose one to execute. (Read Habakkuk 2:2)
- Have a replacement ready. Don’t focus on avoiding your bad habits; instead fill your schedule (or refrigerator!) with good alternatives. (Read Romans 12:21)
- Keep trying. You only truly fail when you quit. (Read Proverbs 12:24)
