The Stewardship of My Thoughts

I have long believed in the power of a good attitude. I’ve tried to make it a habit to look for the green grass right where I stand, to notice blessings, to choose gratitude, to keep hope and optimism close to my heart. And yet, I’m not always successful. Some days the grass looks dry, the sky feels heavy, and my thoughts wander into places I’d rather not dwell.

But even in those moments, I’m learning that the effort itself matters. The reaching. The trying. The turning of my face toward the light, even when clouds make it hard to see. A good attitude isn’t about pretending everything is perfect; it’s about trusting that God is present in the imperfect. It’s choosing to believe that He can water the ground beneath my feet, even when I feel weary.

Hope grows slowly, but it grows. And on the days when my optimism falters, His grace fills the gap. I don’t have to be perfect. I just have to keep turning toward Him

Years ago, while sharing some of my struggles with my beloved mother, she gave me counsel I have never forgotten: “Think eternally.” She encouraged me to ask myself whether the things troubling me would have any impact on salvation. That simple perspective has helped me weed out thoughts and activities that do not lead me toward my eternal goals. But when storms rage, that clarity becomes harder to hold. Thoughts can pull us downward just as easily as they can lift us upward.

Sometimes life forces us to create new pathways in our minds because something unexpected has changed the direction we hoped to go. What I envisioned for my future has not always unfolded as planned. Mortality brings surprises, and change is rarely easy.

Since the human brain cannot replace something with nothing, unwanted thoughts must be replaced with something better. When negativity or self‑pity creeps in, I have the power to redirect my mind, but knowing and doing are not always the same. Resisting a thought often strengthens it. If I’m trying to avoid ice cream, thinking about how much I want it only increases the craving. But if I replace the thought with something uplifting or engaging, the desire loses its grip. Thoughts trigger images, and images trigger action.

This doesn’t mean ignoring real problems. A friend once gave me a vivid example: if you see a dangerous man in the corner holding a machete, covering your eyes doesn’t make him disappear. Likewise, ignoring a problem doesn’t solve it. Some situations require deliberate thought, planning, and courage.

Learning to manage my thoughts is a lifelong effort. I try to focus on what I want to do rather than what I want to avoid. It reminds me of parenting: instead of simply saying no to a child, we redirect them toward something better. Older children still need guidance, but in a way that helps them learn to choose wisely. Heavenly Father leads us the same way, inviting, guiding, offering better paths.

Another problem that can occur with our problem solving is the tendency to want the solution NOW!  It is hard to be patient when we know what we want and can't or don't have it.  But being patient and using our thoughts to help us find answers may not come all at once.  It's usually a process when confronted inch by inch they say it is a cinch, but yard by yard is hard.  Sometimes resolution comes by taking steps to reach that destination.  We are all on a journey here and line upon line, precept upon precept will help us reach our goals.

Leonardo da Vinci said, “Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication.” I love that thought. Simplicity clears space for clarity, peace, and purpose.

Overcoming the natural man is not about eliminating it, but learning to govern it. Hard experiences can harden us or soften us. They can make us bitter or make us divine. Earl Nightingale taught that our goals lie in the future, and our task is to build a bridge from where we are to where we want to be. Sometimes we build that bridge in the wrong place, or without the tools we need, or we try to build it alone. I know where I want to go, but I am still gathering the tools and seeking the direction that will lead me where Heavenly Father wants me to be.

When this mortal life is over, I will be the product of my thoughts, choices, and desires. We are commanded to love God with all our mind. Our minds guide our bodies, and what we do with our bodies leads to happiness or misery. As we remain worthy, the Spirit teaches us how to think. What we desire and dwell upon shapes our eternal destiny.

George Albert Smith warned,  "If you cross to the devils side of that line ONE INCH you are in the tempters power and if he is successful, you will not be able to think or even reason properly because you will have lost the spirit of the Lord." 

Boyd K Packard said, "As soon as we learn that the tempter, the adversary, uses those same channels of the mind & heart to inspire us to evil, to laziness, to contention, even to acts of darkness, he can take over our thoughts and lead us to mischief."

Positive thinking lifts both the spirit and the body. Negative thoughts can weigh us down and affect our health, mood, and relationships, while positive thoughts energize and strengthen us. This is why it is so important to pay attention to what we allow to settle in our minds. Our thoughts shape our attitude, and our attitude influences not only our actions but also the atmosphere we create for the people around us.

When you develop the habit of thinking good thoughts, your day often changes for the better. It is not simply about being optimistic. It is about choosing thoughts that build clarity, strength, and purpose.

Some people prefer the term constructive thinking because it suggests growth, open mindedness, and resilience. Life brings hardship to everyone. Constructive thinkers learn to face those challenges with grace. They acknowledge negativity, use it to understand deeper issues, and then release it when it is no longer helpful. They are careful about what they allow to grow in their minds. They choose thoughts that build rather than break.

This kind of thinking also requires action. Even when life feels heavy, there is always a hopeful side waiting to be found. Challenge yourself to look for it. Give yourself time to feel, process, and learn from the difficult moments. Accept them, grow through them, and then return to the light.

Thinking is a gift from God. When we guide our thoughts with intention and replace negative commentary with constructive truth, our days often flow more smoothly. Gratitude opens our eyes to blessings, and those blessings become tools for growth. Let your thoughts reflect the goodness of God, and let that goodness shape your life

Whatsoever things are true, honest, pure, or lovely, think on these things: Philip. 4:8;