“A new study from psychologists at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario reports observations of the transition from one thought to another in fMRI brain scans. Though the researchers didn’t detect the content of our thoughts, their method allowed them to count each one. Referred to as “thought worms,” the team says that the average human has 6,200 thoughts per day.
“What we call ‘thought worms’ are adjacent points in a simplified representation of activity patterns in the brain,” said senior study author Jordan Poppenk. “The brain occupies a different point in this ‘state space’ at every moment. When a person moves onto a new thought, they create a new thought worm that we can detect with our methods.” thinkbig.com
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6,200 divided by 3 = 2,066 x 2 = 4,133 thoughts
If 2,066 are used up while asleep, that leaves 4,133 thoughts — give or take — to work with.
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Add to that the truth that what we do with our thoughts determines the development of our character and impacts our life after death.
The apostle Paul put it this way: be “transformed by the renewing of your mind” and he writes that “godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (Romans 12:2;1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV))
This brings us to the all-important question: what thoughts qualify as being so important that we must make sure to think them today?
The Apostle Paul gives us this general directive:
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:1-2
Notice that he repeats “things above.”
And what “things above” most matter?
It’s a multi-faceted diamond.
Here are some suggestions:
1. Praise and thanksgiving
Psalms 34:1 (NIV)
“I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.”
2. Make what (it seems to me) matters most to God matter most to me: helping Jesus help other people realize how precious they are to Him.
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18
3. Know that God is going to guide you and give you specific instructions and direction so practice paying attention.
Psalms 32:8-9 (NIV)
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.”
