How's Your Garden Growing?

Many years ago, writer James Allen wrote a groundbreaking little booklet entitled As A Man Thinketh. The basic premise from which he wrote was that "A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts." This is an important statement, for it speaks to us about the power of what and how we think. Joel Osteen points this out in his recent book entitled Your Best Life Now when he says, "Your life will always follow your thoughts." The apostle Paul knew the importance of one's thought life, for in Philippians 4:8 he says, "Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Clearly, Paul understood the importance of thinking well, for he knew that the way we think is a choice of the will.

One of the points James Allen makes in his booklet is that "A man's mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth." This an important statement, for very few people realize just how important their thoughts can be. In fact, our thoughts govern the way we will actually feel from day to day. This means that if one thinks sad or depressing thoughts, then like a garden in which seed has been planted, such thoughts will bring forth or produce sad and depressing feelings. Likewise, happy and joy-filled thoughts will help bring forth feelings of happiness and contentment. The point to be remembered is that the mind is like a garden that awaits the coming of seed, which are the thoughts you choose to sow!