You Can Control Your Thinking

Teachable Woman Podcast Transcript

Episode Title: You Can Control Your Thinking

Featuring: Rev. Michele Owes and Rev. Diana P. Cherry

[00:00:00]

Rev. Michele Owes: Welcome back to the Teachable Woman Podcast. This is Reverend Michele Owes. I am with Reverend Mrs. Diana P. Cherry, and together, we are Teachers of Good Things. We're excited to be back with you today, and we’re going to discuss a new topic. It’s going to be about our thinking. Mrs. Cherry will lead us into our segue as she greets our family.

Rev. Diana P. Cherry: Okay. I didn't expect to be on first, but that's all right. This is unscripted, and by now, we ought to be used to the fact that we do get surprises.

Rev. Michele Owes: Yes.

Rev. Diana P. Cherry: Thinking is one of the most important things we do. Our thoughts are one of the most powerful things we have, really. Our thoughts can lead us into all kinds of crazy or positive situations. But here's the thing: our thoughts can be controlled by us. We have the power to have good thoughts and to control our thoughts. On the flip side, our thoughts can devastate us.

Listen, let me share something with you. I am a person whose thoughts were horrible. Had I not been able to control my thoughts and thinking, we would never have had a ministry. When we first started the ministry, I used to hear my husband say, "Hug somebody and tell them that you love them." And I’d think, "Brother, you need to let charity begin at home." You know, "Hug me and tell me you love me."

Rev. Michele Owes: Sounds right to me!

Rev. Diana P. Cherry: [Laughs] Early in ministry, the Lord really started dealing with me about my thinking. I have taught many lessons and teachings on thinking. One of my most popular teachings about thoughts and thinking was entitled "What's on the Inside?" It’s a question I always ask at the beginning of that teaching: "What’s on the inside of you?" That’s a very personal, profound question, and it’s one that each of us must consider individually.

I always challenge women to think about their thinking. Your thoughts can lead you down very, very dangerous paths. For those of us who are married, I want to challenge you to think about how you’re thinking about your mate. He is not your thoughts. He is not what you’re thinking about him. He may do some of the things you're thinking, but that’s not him. We have to be cautious in our thinking.

Scriptures throughout the Bible challenge us about how we think. In Proverbs, it says, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." In our last session, we talked quite a bit about the heart. Everything we think flows from the heart. The heart is the seat of our emotions. It’s where our thinking flows through. It’s the inside of us.

[00:04:00]

In the Book of Mark, Jesus warns us that it's not what comes from the outside that defiles us. It’s what’s already on the inside of us that flows out. Like our words—those nasty words, those curse words—that’s what defiles us. The Sadducees were judging Jesus because His disciples had eaten with unclean hands, and He said, "It’s not how you eat or what you eat that defiles you, but how you’re thinking in your heart that defiles you."

So one of the most important things we can do as Christians is guard our thinking and our hearts with all diligence because, as the Bible says, "Out of the heart flows the issues of life." How we think dictates how we deal with life’s issues.

God gave us the ability to think, but He also gave us the ability to control how we think. Throughout scripture, we are warned not to think like the world. In these upcoming sessions, we will be teaching about thinking and dealing with the scriptures on how to control your thoughts.

Rev. Michele Owes: That's right.

Rev. Diana P. Cherry: I’m looking forward to sharing how cleaning up my thoughts impacted me and our ministry. I know that if I had not started controlling my thoughts early in the ministry, I would never have been a good wife to my husband, nor would I have been a good servant of God. But you can control your thoughts. You do not have to dwell on evil thoughts. First John 3 teaches us that if our hearts or thoughts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything. It’s not profitable for us to pretend to be something we’re not.

[00:07:00]

That’s why I’ve always tried to be very transparent in ministry. I always try to share my heart with women and let them know that it’s not easy, but it’s possible. Because God has given us His mercy and grace. His mercy kept us until we became saved, and His grace is now active in us. Through our relationship with Him, we have the power to be the people God wants us to be.

This is just the foundational podcast on thinking, but I think we’re going to have quite a few of these. Take it away, Rev. Michele.

Rev. Michele Owes: Okay. The scripture that you used—Proverbs 23:7: "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he"—is so powerful. The thoughts and intents of our hearts can lead us down roads we never intended to travel. To give a natural example that I believe we've all experienced: Have you ever had a situation where you’re thinking, "This person is going to say this, and then I’m going to say that, and then they’re going to respond this way..."? We create this whole discourse in our minds, and our emotions rise and change because of our thinking. But when we get into the situation, it’s not at all what we thought.

[00:08:00]

In chapter 17, verse 9, Jeremiah tells us that the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know it? Who knows the discourses we’ve had in our minds before we've even spoken? God does. God weighs the thoughts and intents of our hearts. We think our thoughts are just ours, but God knows them.

In our last segment, we talked about how David was chosen not because of his appearance or stature but because of his heart. So, as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Mrs. Cherry will share how, in ministry, she corrected her thinking. She even shared how she had an imaginary cage in her mind. When thoughts came up that she knew didn’t glorify God, she imprisoned them.

[00:10:00]

Sometimes we need to know what to do with these bad thoughts when they come up, so they don’t take us down the wrong path. We must learn how to stop ourselves and correct ourselves before letting those thoughts take over.

Rev. Diana P. Cherry: That’s so true. We will be teaching about how we allow certain things into our minds that become strongholds or fortresses. I think we’re going to have a really good time with this. Our goal is to follow what Paul tells us: "Let this mind be in you, which is also in Christ Jesus."

We’re going to be talking about how to renew the mind. I gave a challenge once during a teaching, and I’ll give it to you too: Write down what you're thinking about. Remember, there are no idle thoughts. Your mind is always active, even when you're sleeping. Sometimes we can’t sleep at night because our minds won’t shut down.

[00:12:00]

Please monitor your thoughts between this session and the next. Write down the nonproductive thoughts that lead you nowhere—thoughts that bring you despair. This is something I had to do to renew my mind. When we first started in ministry, we didn’t know anything about the Word of God or the laws of God. We were just two carnally minded people that God called into ministry. We were a long way from being ready to teach anybody anything.

I shared once that about eight or ten years into ministry, the Lord knocked me off my feet with a question: "If you were married to Jesus, and you had to send Him out every day to do ministry, what kind of day would He have? What kind of mood would He be in?"

That question really affected me. I knew in my heart that I didn’t want to do anything that would hinder ministry. I wanted to help my husband, not hinder him. So, I had to change how I thought about certain things. Women are drawn to men in ministry, and it has nothing to do with their looks. It’s the anointing that draws them. But sometimes ministers make the mistake of thinking it's about them, and many ministries have fallen because of that.

[00:15:00]

Early on, I knew I had to control my thoughts. I remember looking at some women and saying to my husband, "She came to the altar for more than just having your hands laid on her." It’s the truth! I used to tell him that because I wanted to be vigilant in protecting our ministry and marriage.

Rev. Diana P. Cherry: You know, sometimes men, especially those with pure hearts, are blind to the temptations around them. They’re not always aware of what’s going on. I would watch my husband pray for people, and I knew what was really happening in some cases. But as his wife and partner in ministry, I had to check my thoughts.

I would ask myself, “Am I being petty, or am I being protective?” I had to pray about it, and the Lord would remind me that it wasn’t about the women, it wasn’t about the people; it was about me. He was saying, “Diana, get your thoughts under control. You need to focus on serving and supporting your husband in ministry, not tearing him down.”

[00:16:00]

The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:5 that we should “take every thought captive to obey Christ.” That means we can control what’s going on in our minds. We’re not helpless victims of our thoughts; we have the ability to change how we think. If we don’t do that, our thoughts can destroy relationships, ministries, and even our health.

I remember another time I was so focused on the negative things in ministry that I started getting sick. I had stress headaches, stomach pains, and all kinds of issues, and the Lord spoke to me and said, “Your body is responding to what’s going on in your mind. You’ve got to change your thinking.”

Rev. Michele Owes: Wow.

Rev. Diana P. Cherry: And it was true! I started taking better care of my mind, changing what I allowed myself to dwell on, and improving my health. That’s the power of our thoughts. They don’t just affect us spiritually but physically, emotionally, and in every area of our lives.

[00:17:00]

You know, we talked earlier about how Jesus said it’s not what goes into a person that defiles them but what comes out. That’s in Mark 7:15. The thoughts we allow in our minds can manifest into words and actions that defile us if we’re not careful.

Let me tell you, I had to learn that the hard way. There were times in ministry when I didn’t guard my heart and my thoughts, and it caused conflict between me and my husband. I would think things like, “He’s not paying enough attention to me,” or “He’s more focused on the church than on me. " Those thoughts would turn into arguments and resentment. But the Lord showed me that I allowed the enemy to use my thoughts to create division.

[00:18:00]

Once I realized that, I began to pray more intentionally about my thoughts. I would literally say, “Lord, I surrender my mind to you. Help me to think thoughts that are pleasing to you.” And you know what? He did. It didn’t happen overnight, but with practice and discipline, I learned to take those negative thoughts captive and replace them with the truth of God’s Word.

Rev. Michele Owes: Amen.

Rev. Diana P. Cherry: I want to encourage our listeners to do the same. If you’re struggling with negative or destructive thoughts, don’t give up. You can change how you think. It’s not easy, but it’s possible with God’s help.

Rev. Michele Owes: That’s powerful, Mrs. Cherry. I think it’s important to emphasize that point—you can change your thinking. It’s not hopeless. You’re not stuck in a cycle of negative thoughts forever.

[00:19:00]

We will get into some practical ways to do that in this series. But for now, let’s talk about the importance of being aware of your thoughts. Like you said, there are no idle thoughts. Everything we think is leading us somewhere. The question is, where?

When we let our minds go unchecked, we can quickly start down a path that leads to bitterness, anger, and even sin. But when we’re intentional about our thinking, we can redirect our thoughts toward good, true, and edifying things. Philippians 4:8 tells us precisely what we should be thinking about: “Whatsoever is true, whatever is honest, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Rev. Diana P. Cherry: That’s one of my favorite scriptures!

Rev. Michele Owes: Mine too. It’s a roadmap for how we should think. And it’s a reminder that we have the power to choose our thoughts. We don’t have to let negativity, fear, or doubt control us.

[00:20:00]

Rev. Diana P. Cherry: Absolutely. One of the things I always tell women in ministry is to be mindful of their thought life. We’re so focused on what we say and do, but it all starts in the mind. The enemy knows that if he can get control of our thoughts, he can control our actions. That’s why guarding our minds with the Word of God is so important.

I used to wake up in the morning and immediately start thinking about all the problems I had to deal with that day. I would go over conversations in my head, worrying about what people thought of me or how I was going to handle a difficult situation. But then I learned to stop and say, “Wait a minute, I’m not going to start my day like this.”

Now, I begin my day by reading the Word and praying. I set my mind on things above, as Colossians 3:2 tells us to do. And that has made such a difference in how I handle the rest of my day.

[00:21:00]

Rev. Michele Owes: That’s so good. I love that you brought up Colossians 3:2 because it ties into everything we’ve discussed. It says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” That’s the key, isn’t it? Keeping our minds focused on God and His promises instead of the distractions and difficulties around us.

Rev. Diana P. Cherry: Exactly. And it’s not easy. I don’t want to give the impression that I’ve mastered this. I’m still a work in progress, just like everyone else. But I’ve learned that everything else falls into place when I keep my mind fixed on God. I may still have challenges, but I’m able to face them with peace and confidence instead of fear and anxiety.

[00:22:00]

I want to encourage our listeners to try this for themselves. Start your day by setting your mind on God. Before you check your phone or look at your to-do list, take a moment to pray and ask the Lord to help you focus on Him. It doesn’t have to be a long prayer—just a simple, “Lord, I give you my thoughts today. Help me to think the way you want me to think.”

Rev. Michele Owes: That’s so good. I will try that myself because I know how easy it is to get caught up in the busyness of the day and forget to focus on what really matters.

Rev. Diana P. Cherry: Yes, it’s a daily discipline. And the more we practice it, the more natural it becomes. It’s like exercising a muscle. The more you work at it, the stronger it gets.

[00:23:00]

But I also want to acknowledge that sometimes it’s hard to control our thoughts, especially during a difficult season. Maybe you’ve lost a loved one, or you’re struggling in your marriage, or you’re dealing with a health issue. In those moments, it can feel impossible to think positively.

That’s when we really need to lean on God. He knows what we’re going through and is there to help us. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.” When we keep our minds fixed on God, He gives us peace, even in the midst of our struggles.

Rev. Michele Owes: That’s a beautiful promise. And I think it’s so important to remember that we’re not doing this in our own strength. We have the Holy Spirit to help us.

[00:24:00]

Rev. Diana P. Cherry: Yes! The Holy Spirit is our helper. He’s the one who gives us the power to change our thinking. We can’t do it on our own. But with His help, we can overcome negative thoughts and replace them with thoughts that honor God.

I want to leave you all with one final thought: Don’t be discouraged if this process takes time. Changing your thinking is a journey, not a destination. There will be days when you feel like you’re making progress, and there will be days when you struggle. But keep going. God is with you every step of the way.

Rev. Michele Owes: Amen. Thank you, Mrs. Cherry, for sharing your wisdom with us today. I know this conversation has blessed meas well, and I’m sure our listeners have as well.

[00:25:00]

We’ll continue this series on thinking in our next episode, so stay tuned for more practical tips and biblical truths on controlling your thoughts.

Rev. Diana P. Cherry: Thank you for having me, Michele. I’m looking forward to continuing this conversation. And to our listeners, remember: You have the power to control your thinking. God has given you everything you need to succeed in this area. Just take it one day at a time and trust Him to guide you.

Rev. Michele Owes: Amen. Well, that’s it for today’s episode of the Teachable Woman Podcast. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss our next episode. As always, we appreciate your support and prayers for this ministry. Until next time, be blessed, and remember—you can control your thinking!