In some ways, negative self-talk can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Just as an athlete is more likely to make the shot after visualizing making it, she's also more likely to miss it after visualizing a miss. Your words, whether externally spoken or internally absorbed, shape your future.

Face your fears by remembering the power of God's cleaning truth. To change the way you are, change the way you think.

The life we have is a reflection of what we think.

If the seed doesn't get planted, it can't become a toxic thornbush. We must guard our minds and our hearts, starting with our eyes.

What science is showing us today is what God told us through Solomon almost three thousand years ago: "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7 NKJV). So if both the Bible and modern science teach us that our lives are moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts, then we need to make time for introspection and ask ourselves, "Do I like the direction my thoughts are taking me?

Whatever's on your mind is also on God's heart.

Clearly determine your values, because when your values are clear, your decisions are easier.

You are not a victim of your thoughts. You have the power through Christ to take them captive. As a result, you will find what you are looking for. You can believe the worst or think the best. You can find reasons to worry or reasons to have faith. You can live pessimistically, or you can possess life-changing faith.

Everything that we allow into our minds, hearts, and lives — everything that we spend our time and money on — has an impact on how we grow, or don't grow, spiritually.

In ten years, we will each look in the mirror, and someone will stare back. That person will be shaped by the thoughts of today.

But no, your mind is a battlefield, and the battle for your life is always won or lost in your mind.

And what's romance? Usually, a nice little tale where you have everything as you like it, where rain never wets your jacket and gnats never bite your nose, and it's always daisy-time.