Sarah has found her little chubby fists. Sometimes she holds both her hands together in a big double giant fist, and chews away. She goes at them like they are yummy. She is yummy. When I see her face here on my blog, and in real life beside me as I type, I am filled with gratitude to God for His wonderful gift of babies, and children.
Confession: I’ve been negative lately. I have negative whispering (shouting) going on in my head all day. “I can’t homeschool, I’m failing, I’m not a good mother, I am not a good wife, I can’t keep the house clean, it’s a beautiful day and I can’t go outside because I’m too busy, I haven’t read my Bible enough, I’m not a good friend,” on and on.
I wonder if some of you might be feeling the same way? If so, you might enjoy some encouragement to think more positively today. What we say to ourselves is important. The Bible says to think of lovely things, true and good things. God knows that a mind filled with hurtful talk is not in our best interest. He wants the best for his children, He wants us content and joyful.
“Most people carry on a silent conversation with themselves during the day. This ‘self-talk’ has a direct effect on your thoughts and behaviors. Understanding self-talk, and its effects on you, can help you learn to rewrite your own self-talk ‘script’ and maintain a positive mental attitude.”
“You’ve probably heard the term ‘self-fulfilling prophecy.’ Self-talk is very much like a self-fulfilling prophecy–something you think about so much you can actually make it happen. When your self-talk is positive–‘Things will work out,’ ‘I can do this job,’ you are giving yourself permission to succeed, and chances are, you will. When your self-talk is negative you are giving up on yourself and chances are you won’t even try to succeed.”
“Negative self-talk can increase your distress, and can make effects such as headaches or stomach pain much worse. Fortunately, positive self-talk can have the opposite effect, leading to a confident, positive attitude.”
“Learn to listen to your own self-talk. One good away is to use pencil and paper to note your automatic responses to an idea. Draw three columns on the sheet. In the first column, write several things you would like to happen. Then, close your eyes and listen to how you react to each item. Write your self-talk in the second column. In the third column, write down a thought which is the opposite of the one in column two. Now look at your list. If column two is more positive than column three, you’re already on your way to thinking positively. If column two is more negative, look at column three for a more helpful, healthier response. Practice choosing positive self-talk. You’ll feel happier and more confident.”
~Quotes are all from an article that I was given after having one of my babies.
All this focus on SELF, as a Christian, might make you nervous. It makes me nervous. Now I have even more negative thoughts….”boy are you selfish, so self-centered!” But remember, God does tell us to examine our hearts so that we can be aware of any sin we need to confess. Using my mind to think negatively can be sinful, but if I confess that sin He is faithful to forgive and cleanse. I want to glorify God in everything, and my mind is a precious gift from Him. I want to use it in the best way, in a way that glorifies and pleases my Father in heaven.
I found these verses this morning and wrote them down, to help me when I am being negative:
“Let the words of my mouth AND the meditation of my heart (heart=mind or seat of emotions) be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalms 19:14
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7
“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts….these are the things that defile a man.” Matthew 15:19 (footnote from the Life Application Bible: We work hard to keep our outward appearance attractive, but what is in our hearts is even more important. The way we are deep down (where others can’t see) matters much to God. What are you like inside? When people become Christians, God makes them different on the inside. He will continue the change process inside them if they only ask. God wants us to seek healthy thoughts and motives, not just healthy food and exercise.)
“Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are TRUE, whatsover things are HONEST, whatsoever things are JUST, whatsoever things are PURE, whatsoever things are LOVELY, whatsoever things are OF GOOD REPORT, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK on these things.” Philippians 4:8 (footnote: Replace harmful input with wholesome material. Above all, read God’s word and pray. Ask Him to focus your mind on what is good and pure. It takes practice, BUT IT CAN BE DONE.)
We need to encourage each other. I want to thank my friends and family for encouraging me and lifting me up when I am down. I hope I can do the same for you, when you need a friendly voice and words of love.
THANK YOU!