There are some recent studies on racism that offer important information about our thinking processes for all of us no matter to what race we belong. These studies challenge the older idea that racial prejudice is something we are born with — something inherent in our makeup. They show that even when we have a negative gut reaction to someone based on race, we can override that reaction with our rational thought processes.1

Racism is not my subject this morning, but I mention these studies about racism to highlight its important conclusion about our ability to modify our emotional responses by how we think. That also means that in other areas of life, our minds can take us beyond gut reactions and beyond passionately held conclusions.

Chances are I am not telling you anything you don't a…