Giving Attention To My Thoughts

Writing gets my thoughts going. So many thoughts swirl around in my head begging for an audience or at least some time to be pondered over but slip away as the next pushes its way to the front. This is a cycle that continues when I refuse to give my attention to something. You see, I read somewhere that attention means "setting my mind to whatever I'm about." That means choosing one thought above the others, saying one better or more important than the rest. I dare not choose one thought over another! Yet that is just what I am asked to do by my Lord. God tells me through the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 10:3,5b "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh... we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." I must capture each thought and decide if it is worthy of being thought and if it will help me obey Christ. Philippians 4:8 says I am to meditate on whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and/or praiseworthy. So, here is my checklist! Many times though after filtering out thoughts that will not help me to obey there are still many thoughts fitting that checklist still whirring through my head. What can I do? I can ask God to guide me in choosing which thought to give attention to at the moment. James 1:5 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." So, I will be doing more asking for wisdom to chose which thought receives my full attention. After all, when I seek God above all else I receive His peace. He wants that for me! Already it is as if I hear him telling my thoughts, "Peace! Be still!" So, I"m off to think on my thoughts one by one as God lines them up!