The Power of Positive: Thinking

This is part two of a four part series on the transforming power of positivity.  The series starts here.

Today we're talking about the power your thoughts have in creating a positive atmosphere in your marriage.

What you think and believe about your marriage and your spouse is so important, because what you actually believe (as opposed to what you think you believe) has a way of working itself out into your words and actions.  

Start With The Mind

There's a reason I chose to start with the impact of positive thinking.

The battle for your marriage starts in the mind! 

From my post, “What Do You Think,” here a few tips on practicing positivity in your thinking.

• Practice thankfulness daily. Every day consider at least one thing you are thankful for about your spouse or your marriage. Bonus points if you tell your spouse! Philippians 4:6-7 exhorts us to not be anxious, but to pray with thanksgiving as a means to having the peace of Christ rule our minds and hearts.
• Guard your thoughts. What are you feeding your mind with? Do you let TV, movies and gossip news form the basis of what you believe about marriage? Or are you purposeful in gaining a solid understanding of God’s design for marriage? There’s lots of stuff about that in this blog – explore!
• Pray for your spouse and your marriage. Commit to pray daily for your spouse and your marriage. And I don’t mean the “Lord, please make him/her do ______.” I mean pray that they will be strengthened, for their spiritual life, for them to walk in their destiny in Christ and for blessing. If you don’t know what or how to pray, the prayers found in Ephesians 1:17-23, Ephesians 3:16-21 and in Colossians 1:9-12 are fantastic for praying for your spouse.
• Watch what you say to your spouse and about your spouse and your marriage. I won't say much here, because that's our next topic: The Power of Positive: Speaking.  I'll just say that truth, positive and encouraging truth, when spoken out loud has a way of being reinforced in your mind. When you say it, it becomes more true for you.

I often hear it said that right thinking leads to right doing.  That's why it is so important to get your thinking screwed on straight.  That's why I talk so much about seeing your marriage through the right lens.  For me that lens is the Bridal Paradigm; the understanding that marriage is designed to reflect the love relationship between Christ and the church. The more I begin to comprehend it, the more it transforms my own marriage.

Are there an other ways you've found that help you practice positive thinking?   


Next up:  The Power of Positive Speaking