An old adage states that practice makes perfect. Actually, that is not true. When we repeat the wrong thing over and over, it makes it permanent in our mind, not perfect. For example, when you sing the wrong words to a song over and over, they don’t eventually become correct. The same goes for practicing an instrument. Much wrong practice makes the bad habit permanent, not perfect.

The same is true with our wrong thinking. Repetition makes permanent those thoughts we keep mulling over in our mind. We all know the negative impact wrong thinking has on our mind, body and spirit.  It tears us down and diminishes our capacity for joyful living. The good news is that repeating right thoughts in our mind also works to effect permanent change, and for our betterment!

Repetition is like walking a path through a meadow. It is a much easier journey walking the worn path than trying to forge a new path through the tall weeds. But if that well-worn path leads us to wrong thinking, we are better off to turn our back to that path and forge a new path with thoughts and actions that are true, honorable, and filled with God’s grace. And guess what? As you frequent that new path and ignore the other, the path of right thinking will grow easier and easier to travel and the path of wrong thinking will grow over with weeds and not be so tempting to traverse.

What paths have you worn down as your mind travels down them each day? If they continually bring you disappointment, regret, and sorrow, it may be time to blaze a new trail and travel it frequently until it is worn smooth. Learn to say ‘NO’ to the thoughts that fight against the truth and grace in your life and experience a life worth living.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5