What are you thinking about?
The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile. Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law. ~ Psalms 94:11-12
Have you ever found yourself stuck in a cycle of thoughts that seem to lead nowhere? No matter how well things may be going, your mind gravitates toward that one thing that isn’t just right. I know I do. Often, it’s not even about something pressing or urgent, just a small, nagging worry or an unresolved issue that keeps resurfacing.
It’s in these moments I realize how crucial it is to take control of my thought life. If I don’t intentionally direct my thinking, it drifts toward worry, fear, or even worst-case scenarios. The truth is, most of the things I worry about never come to pass. Yet without consistent effort, my thoughts can take on a life of their own, pulling me into a place of unnecessary stress.
Take the Christmas season, for example. It’s a time of joy, but also a time of busyness and expectation. I find myself juggling tasks such as finding the perfect gifts, sending out cards, planning the Christmas meal and worrying about whether I’ll forget something important. Even when everything is going well, there’s that inner voice questioning if I’ve done enough or if I’ve missed something.
I find hope in today’s verse because it reminds me of a powerful truth: The Lord knows our thoughts, and many of them are futile and pointless distractions that don’t lead to peace or purpose. Thankfully, the psalmist also tells us how to overcome this: by turning to God for instruction and allowing Him to teach us His wisdom through His Word.
God doesn’t want us to stay stuck in worry or self-doubt. Instead, He offers a better way. A way to bring our thoughts into agreement with His truth and find peace in His wisdom.
If you’ve ever struggled with futile thoughts, you’re not alone. Maybe you’ve found yourself dwelling on things beyond your control or replaying scenarios in your mind that may never actually happen. But there is hope and practical guidance to help us overcome this:
Below are some ways you can take control over your thoughts:
- Spend time in God’s presence daily. Begin your day with worship and fellowship with Him. This creates a foundation of peace and perspective.
- Commit your worries to God. Hand over your concerns to Him in prayer, trusting that He is fully capable of handling them. Then, thank Him for His faithfulness every time you try to think about them again.
- Dig into God’s Word. Make time to study Scripture, where you’ll find wisdom, encouragement, and instruction for life.
- Monitor your thoughts. Pay attention to where your mind drifts. When you catch yourself worrying, intentionally redirect your focus to a scripture or a truth about God’s character.
- Surround yourself with community. Spend time with a small group or friends who encourage you to dwell on the goodness of God. Their support can help shift your perspective.
- Pray for others. When you find yourself returning to a worry, use that as a prompt to pray for someone else. It’s a powerful way to shift your focus outward.
- Turn worry into action. Let your concerns inspire you to send an encouraging message to a friend or help someone in need.
Today I want to encourage you that as the New Year approaches, make a conscious decision to leave futile thinking behind. Instead of allowing your minds to wander into worry or fear, fix your thoughts on what is true, noble, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). Allow God’s Spirit to teach you what really matters and guide you toward His wisdom and instruction.
The Christmas and New Year seasons can be full of challenges and distractions, but they’re also an opportunity to reset your focus. Today, choose to think about God’s faithfulness, His provision, and His unchanging love. When you do, you will find that your hearts is steadied and your paths made clearer.
May this season be a time of renewed trust in God’s plan for your life and may His peace guard your heart and mind as you rest in His truth.
Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 94
1 O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongs— O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth!
2 Rise up, O Judge of the earth; Render punishment to the proud.
3 Lord, how long will the wicked, how long will the wicked triumph?
4 They utter speech, and speak insolent things; All the workers of iniquity boast in themselves.
5 They break in pieces Your people, O Lord, and afflict Your heritage.
6 They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.
7 Yet they say, “The Lord does not see, nor does the God of Jacob understand.”
8 Understand, you senseless among the people; and you fools, when will you be wise?
9 He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see?
10 He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct, He who teaches man knowledge?
11 The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.
12 Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law,
13 That You may give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit is dug for the wicked.
14 For the Lord will not cast off His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance.
15 But judgment will return to righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.
16 Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
17 Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul would soon have settled in silence.
18 If I say, “My foot slips,” Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up.
19 In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.
20 Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law, have fellowship with You?
21 They gather together against the life of the righteous, and condemn innocent blood.
22 But the Lord has been my defense, and my God the rock of my refuge.
23 He has brought on them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; The Lord our God shall cut them off.
The Daily Dose 