“Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.”
Proverbs 4:23 GNT
Have you ever assumed something and eventually realized you were way off? Yup, same here. I’ll always regret the time when I made fun of my friends for loving boba tea. To me, without ever trying it, I knew it was disgusting. “Have fun drinking your boobie tea,” I’d tell them. “Goodness gracious, those little balls on the bottom look like mini rabbit turds,” I joked. That is, until one brave day, I decided to try it—and oh my heavens, my life changed. After tasting its smoothie goodness with a side of tapioca goodness, I realized that my assumptions about boba tea were completely wrong. If I could apologize to a drink, I absolutely would. But I couldn’t, so I just apologized to my friends.
Because my thought process was off, it led to my words being off, which led to the way I perceived things to be off. Come to think of it, this happens to us quite a bit in life. When we think wrongly about something, we will speak wrongly about it, and the way we see it becomes very misaligned. This goes for our interactions with people, our circumstances, and even our relationship with God.
Let’s break it down:
Think Right: We must guard our hearts, first, by thinking right. When our minds are renewed, we think more like Jesus, which prevents us from believing lies. Our character is, mainly, defined by our thoughts.
Talk Right: The things we speak are direct correlations to what is going on in our hearts. Whatever our hearts are dwelling on will eventually become vocalized. Because the human mind is fickle, it is a dangerous thing to mistake “speaking without thought” for “speaking the truth.” Therefore, examine your thoughts and your heart above all else before using your words in any situation.
See Right: When we think the way Jesus thinks and talk the way Jesus talks, we will see things the way Jesus sees. This causes healing instead of division and peace instead of turmoil. If your thoughts, words, and perceptions are steadfast, God will keep your life in perfect peace.
God, renew my mind, my words, and my perceptions today. I want my character to be aligned with Yours. Amen.
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Goodness Gracious: 90 Unfiltered Devotions for This Sometimes-Too-Serious Life, by Hannah Crews, is a 90-day devotional to help readers laugh, gain new perspectives, and tap into the joy God gives.
Sometimes the light of Christ in our life is a flickering candle instead of a burning blaze. We get bogged down by distractions, challenges, the daily grind, and sometimes serious issues. This devotional is a fun, honest take on life’s situations — and its silliness. Readers of Goodness Gracious will be encouraged to dust themselves off, throw open the shades, and let the joy of the Lord overflow from their hearts and into the world. They’ll laugh, reflect, and be inspired by the refreshing authenticity of author Hannah Crews as they experience a renewal of their joy in Christ.
Goodness Gracious is far more than just a cute devotional book designed to let you check off your “I spent time with Jesus today” box. It’s a beautifully practical and hilarious tool that Hannah has crafted to help us draw near to Christ on the brightest of days, the darkest of nights, the mundane “meh” moments, and even the downright “blah” days. Her writing has a remarkable way of making you feel seen and understood, all while gently challenging you to rise up. You will laugh, cry, and grow through every single page. And by the end, you will be equipped to genuinely walk in the joy of the Lord, no matter what you might be walking through.
We know Goodness Gracious will be a gift in your life or the life of someone you love.
Order your copy today . . . and leave a comment below for a chance to WIN a copy*!
Then join Becky Keife this weekend on the (in)courage podcast for a conversation with Hannah about how God uses even the hardest parts of our stories to draw us to Him and give us His JOY. Don’t miss it!
My ladies small group is called Joyful Hearts ❤️
I look forward to reading this book and sharing it!
I’m afraid so much of my life has had wrong thoughts, skewed perceptions. Sometimes I wish I could have redos. Thankfully, we can have a fresh start. Lord, help me to be more like You!
Thank you for this devotional today and for the chance to win this book. Our thoughts and words are so important to our character, I needed this reminder to fix my thoughts on Jesus and keep my mouth closed until He fills it with His words. Then His joy will fill my heart and my mouth! Thanks Hannah, for this perspective and challenge.
I felt the heaviness lifted just reading this post. I look forward to learning more.
Sometimes I find myself utilizing my thought process as a filtering or gauge to my “God Health Meter”……If I find my mind is running high on the negative thoughts it’s time to focus on God’s joyful perspective.
Thanks for the reminder!
Thank you for this wonderful post and reminder. I needed it this morning. This book sounds delightful. Lately I have been convicted of my words a lot.
My grandma used to say goodness gracious all of the time! Just brought a BIG smile on my face hearing those words after so many years.
I like the sound of this book! And the devotion for today is something I plan to share with my kiddos: we are frequently talking about the thought-heart-mouth connection.
I would love the title and theme of this new book!
Thanks for the opportunity to receive this book and spread the message of joy and lightheartedness.
Thank you for your encouragement
Thank you for this opportunity to win this book. I have still not tried Boba Tea!
Perfect timing! Thank You so very much. Needed. Soaking this in. Thank you for speaking Truth …& with Joy!
Thank you for such an encouraging devotion. We all need reminders to keep our eyes on Jesus and take thought captive to Christ. This book sounds like a lovely read to have on hand from time to time.
This is the first time I’ve heard of Hannah Crews. Both her and her book sound delightful. Some days are heavy. We need more laughter. We need more Jesus. It sounds like she combines the two. Count me in! (I’m now following her on Instagram.)
Thank you for your devotion this morning, Hannah! There is so much truth in these words. I appreciate your encouragement to guard my thoughts because they influence my words and perspectives. Your book sounds very relatable. I’m looking forward to reading it.
This book sounds like a really good read and interesting. Thank you for the chance to win a copy and thank you for the encouragement. I could use some joy and a good laugh.
Love the realism of this and how it makes me smile and think
I think this could be a way to touch my daughter, who is struggling with her faith and joy. Thank you.
Oh my goodness this devotional would be a perfect gift for my daughter. Who is a silly, loving, “rather loud” passionate Mom. Wife to a husband with an “off” sense of humor. Mom to a teenager daughter with the same “off” sense of humor, a moody teenage son with no sense of humor unless around his silly friends. 3 more kids that look at their parents like “what did you just say”??? then go about their own silliness. This family loves God, but the things that come out of their mouths…OMG!
Wow, this book seems made for me. In the Fight, Flight, of Flee decision, I tend to fight. So, that also means my mouth will spout off mean, hateful, defensive things if I feel backed in a corner. I struggle with this every day. I pray daily for the Lord to teach and help me with this sinful area of my life. I leap often without knowing the full story, and that can lead to losing my witness.
What a refreshing devotional (I had just read “Finding Favor” by Hannah on the Dayspring email and am forwarding that with my connect group ladies as our church is just beginning our book study “Awe of God” by John Bevere. Just purchased and received “100 Days of Strength in any Struggle”. Thank you DaySpring publishing uplifting and God-Inspired books and material to proclaim the Good News.
ROFL – I am not a fan of boba tea and I have tried it…but I never thought of them looking like rabbit turds – thanks for laugh!
But in all seriousness, this article hollered at me today. Thank you for the insight on keeping a check on my heart & mind, that I just don’t vomit the negative passing thoughts of a moment out of my mouth on others.
This is getting printed and posted on my mirror, fridge and desk for daily reminders each day.
Such a delightful and oh so true devotion today! Your new book sounds delightful too. As a true Southern lady I say Goodness Gracious often!
This sounds like such a helpful read. Thanks for giving us another opportunity to win!
Just as with an email or a text message, so goes it with the thoughts and words coming from our mouth. Before “sending”, I always think, where could this message end up? I often have to hold my tongue, rethink my words and take a deep breath and ask God for patience. Great title for your book of devotions! Goodness Gracious goes hand in hand with one of my favorite phrases, good grief!
Such a great devotional. I’d love to read more
I enjoyed the simplicity of the devotion. And a little humor and joy is so needed with the hard things we deal with this side of Glory! I am ordering the devo book for a friend! God is so Good!
Made me smile, I love boba tea! Thank you
Thinking, speaking & perceptions are a big part of my families issues right now. It’s just the 3 of us (me, hubby & adult child), but it feels like a major war is happening in our home most days. Our child is on the Autism spectrum and speaks her mind differently than most, my husband was raised by a hard-nosed, back-woods dad that taught “you do it my way or else” and I’m stuck in the middle as a referee or getting mad at my husband for the things he’s saying to our child. Of course, our child says some pretty harsh things as well and I, too often, let my emotions control my words, too. The whole time I was reading this devotional, I was thinking I need to forward it to my hubby! I should go back and read it again, thinking on what I need to change!
I am a more serious person with a definite lack of humor. One of my favorite scriptures is “Be Joyful always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances, for that is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess 5: 16-18
I want to learn how to be Joyful always and I hope your book will help me! Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
Thanks for your words.
Starting my day setting my heart and mind on things above helps my perspective and sets the tone for the day
I have enjoyed the devotions so far that DaySpring has posted! This would make a great gift for a friend!
I’m grateful for this wonderful post to remind us each day of our thoughts, words, and action. This post is a keeper! Thanks for bringing a smile to our face as I have never heard of boba tea, I will have to try and look for it and when I find it…I will laugh and shout out, “Goodness Gracious” (which is a phrase I use quite often). Hannah Crews, your devotional book sounds awesome! You are a blessing in countless ways. If we Pursue a Life of Joy & Contentment, we will be happier, healthier, and more at Peace. God Bless and continue to “Let your Light Shine”.
Hannah,
This post & your book made me think of the children’s song “Oh be Careful little Eyes what you see”. We need to renew our minds & hearts daily. A few years ago I was in a funk about work position. I was depressed & unhappy all the time. My attitude showed up in my actions & my thinking about the job & my co workers. The only thing I could do was to infuse God’s word & Christian music deep into my soul. Fast forward to today. My job has changed & I am much happier. I still have to work on what I see & hear. Whatever you dwell on or listen to that will come out of you..
Blessings 🙂
Boba tea…….might have to try it. Thanks for the giggle.
Thank you for the opportunity to win this book. I think it would make a large difference in our household.
Would love to incorporate this book in my morning quiet time!