The Apostle Paul was quite concerned with the mental diet of believers because he knew that your focus would influence your future, so he said:
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
~ Philippians 4:8 NIV
When you listen to a lot of negativity, you’ll tend to think negative thoughts and act in ways that negatively affect your life. When you listen to a lot of positivity, you’ll think more positive thoughts and tend to do things that are more constructive. It’s not rocket science, but it’s vitally important to your life.
Is there a time to face harsh realities and deal in brutally honest terms with the world in which we live? Absolutely. But it’s best to be prepared for those moments and conversations by having taken in and processed and meditated on things that build you from the inside out into a person of greater faith.
Think of your mental diet like your physical diet. You should eliminate anything tainted, poisonous, or harmful. You should intentionally consume things that nourish you. And while some neutral “junk food” is okay in moderation, you can’t sustain yourself on it.
You only have a limited amount of mental energy and focus. Choose your focus. Spend it on the things that make you more like Jesus, healthier in your relationships, and closer to God.
This article about how (and why) to choose your focus originally appeared here, and is used by the author’s kind permission.
