Thought Life: What You Feed Will Grow

 By: Lauren Thomas

This year, I have enjoyed a beautiful new garden and have taken joy in the mature plants in my landscape. I thought about this while watering my plants this week. And it reminded me of a very important phrase – one that is a Biblical principle: what you feed will grow. 

 

Okay, that phrase is not in the Bible, but the concept is there! What about Galatians 6:7 where we read that we reap what we sow. Or what about the parables of the talents and minas? In these, the person who stewards what he has, is given more! In the Old Testament, blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience were laid out, and the people were exhorted: choose life that you might live!

 

What you feed will grow. 

That phrase can apply to many facets of life. But consider how it applies to your thought life. What you feed will grow. 

 

If you, like myself, are a chronic overthinker, you’re doing a lot of “feeding” every day. Feeding your thoughts deals with what you consume (social media, streaming services, movies, music, books) and with what you give space for in your mind. By this, I mean the time and space you give to certain topics; to replaying conversations; to analyzing situations; to processing thoughts, emotions and events; etc. All of these are instances of “feeding.”

 

This makes sense from a biblical perspective and from a neurobiological standpoint! What we “rehearse” is what “rewires” our brains. Our brains have neuroplasticity, meaning that they can change and be reshaped. This is done by repetition. As I continue to give focus and attention to something, I am strengthening neuropathways. I’m reshaping the very structure of my brain. 

 

What you feed will grow. 

 

Sounds great. Sounds practical. But how do we make this actionable?

1. Identify what you want to grow in your life and what you want to starve out. Yes, there might be some things in your life that need to be starved out. As you “starve them” they will not grow. They will shrink. They might even die away – through the power of the Holy Spirit in you!

2. When you notice yourself start to feed the wrong things, take those thoughts captive. 

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV

 

Martin Luther said – and I paraphrase – you can’t keep birds from flying over your head, but you can stop them from nesting there. When the wrong thoughts come, name them for what they are, give them to the Lord, and think about something else. Even just distracting yourself can be helpful!

3. Feed what you want to grow! Take time to consume what will feed the right thoughts. Give space for the thoughts that are virtuous and pleasing to God. The Holy Spirit is a critical aspect of feeding what you want to grow. Invite him into the work!

 

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,

Jude 1:20 ESV

 

Back to my garden. I have been intentional and consistent in watering and weeding, more so than in previous years. Some things I’m feeding and some things I’m pulling up. And my garden is glorious as a result! Just some “food for thought.”

 

Reflection:

What things are growing in your life? What are you feeding? What are some strategies you could use to “starve a thought”?