Journal Your Thoughts

Day 7. The days are already speeding by... So much to do, so much to share...

Today we will talk about accountability for our thoughts. How on earth are we going to reach our goals and see God's plan for our lives fulfilled, if we spend soooo many waking hours in "vegetation"?????

In preparation for today's submission, I began a study of proverbs from around the world concerning "idleness". The overall point of view is shared, pretty much. The English/Americans: An idle mind is the devil's workshop, Dutch: An idle man is the devil's pillow, Latin: An idle youth becomes in age, a beggar. There are more, but you get the general idea. This theme continues in old and new testament scriptures where the bible speaks in several instances of the results of idle thoughts and idle hands.

Bottomline: Intentionally occupying your thoughts/hands promotes productivity and success. Thoughts/ideas that do not lead to action become procrastination. (See earlier blog on procrastination)

The Challenge: Review the areas of our lives that lack activity or resolution. Ask the question, "Have I taken sufficient time to think of a plan and put the plan into action concerning this area?" I tell my son all the time that if he doesn't get the grade he hoped for on an assignment or in a class, but he made time for video games, TV or hanging out with friends, then he didn't use his time wisely. Not to say that there is not room for such extracurricular "carryings on," but wisdom and discretion are key.

How are you using your mind? Is it always in a state of "traffic jam", scattered? As an adult do you feel like you have an attention deficit? All the more reason to call your thoughts to subjection and accountability. When we do not think about productive things, we open the door to thoughts of fear, doubt, paranoia, lust, loneliness, etc. My favorite of the proverbs mentioned is that an idle man is the devil's pillow. That creates quite the image, doesn't it? The devil resting, even taking a nap, because he knows you are idle and with your idleness, he's confident that he's winning. Which leads us to what I call the "whatsoevers". Phillipians 4:8 teaches us, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Our thoughts should be intentional.

I mentioned earlier that we may have scattered thoughts. I am, by nature, a "scatter brain". Really. I have soooo many thoughts that I have to intentionally cause my mind to stop and I must hold myself to an actual plan. I am not a disciplined thinker and I have no delusions of grandeur that one day I won't have to plan my thoughts. If it happens, "Thank you Lord," but until such time... The only time I do "shut down" is when I'm on vacation with family or at a casual/social gathering or when I am watching a favorite movie or television show. Period. Otherwise... Like a computer, my mind is processing constantly. If you are like me, you have to be mentally exhausted to even sleep. The answer??? Journal your thoughts, plan your day, plan your life.

Even intentionally set aside time for recreation and rest -- No kidding. And when you get to that time do exactly what your calendar/journal indicates.

To the contrary, some people spend their days dismissing thoughts, because they don't want to have to DO anything. Thus you have your couch potatoes or what I like to call "lollygaggers". You don't really like that you are a lollygagger, but it's easier than being accountable for your success or lack there or. Proverbs 23: 7 teaches that, as a man/woman thinks, so is he/she. If you don't want to think or be accountable for your thoughts, then who are you really???


Seeing your good thoughts/plans put into action will motivate and encourage you. You will be surprised at the results of your "call to action." The other amazing outcome is that those around you will be motivated and encouraged too. Our thoughts are going to go somewhere and we are completely in charge of navigating. Make a decision today to be an intentional navigator of your thoughts and see your purpose fulfilled.