Have you ever found yourself thinking about things and wonder how those seeming random thoughts get in there? I do. I'm going along through my day minding my own business and suddenly some really off the wall negative thought will come into my mind. Like a situation that occurred earlier in the day that irritated me or a memory from long ago that brought up feelings, emotions or even visions. I know I'm not the only person who experiences this. It can really throw off my day, and if I'm not careful change my whole mood which impacts everyone around me. I'm trying very hard to guard my mind so that I protect my heart.
I consider myself a very sensitive person. I don't like scary movies, needles, blood, guts or gore. When I was a kid, I saw The Blob and that movie wrecked me for life! I had nightmares, slept with my head under the covers for weeks. My kids make fun of me and tell me I can't see any movies that aren't rated G. Its true, they're right. Bad images stick with me for a long time and they will flash back in my memory at the most random times. Especially when I am trying to sleep. Its so annoying!
That's why I have to be careful with the things I allow my eyes to see and my ears to hear. We are bombarded with so many images and sounds via social media, commercials, billboards, newspapers...its overwhelming. Open your smartphone or tablet and everything is right at your fingertips. Algorithms are built based on what you look at online and targeted advertising is created just for your consumption. All the more reason to be very selective in what you allow into your mind. I believe there is no such thing as a passive thought. The war that is raging for your mind is being fought by the enemy of your soul. One of the best weapons in the toolkit is to guard what you see and hear. I'm not saying, put your head in the sand like an ostrich, I'm saying don't allow just any old thing to be in your mind space. Don't entertain thoughts that are not giving you life. When your mind is corrupted, then your heart is at risk.
Its the same thing with what others speak to you and over you. It is so hard to undo a careless word, that penetrates the mind and lodges in the heart. It happened most to us when we were children and were defenseless against the things that adults said to us. I'm sure you can remember something some one said that stuck with you for years. You actually believed it was true and you may still believe it is true. You may not even realize that you are acting out something that someone said was you and those actions can be harmful and cause you to act out of your character. Think for a minute. What do you believe about yourself that is contrary to who you are. Do you say self wounding things about yourself? I'm an expert at beating myself up. saying things like, I'm fat, I'm not really that talented, I'm not as good as the next person at a thing ______ fill in the blank. What can you do to change those thoughts? The big Ah Ha moment was when I realized that I actually harmed the people around me when I said the harmful things I thought about myself out loud. It was a painful realization. For me, it took some counselling with a pastor to help me begin to understand what harmful things I believed about my self and said to myself. It takes effort every day for me not to fall into the trap. I have those close to me who hold me accountable when my self talk is not life giving.
This year, my goal is to say and do things that are life giving. Be conscious and aware of what I say and how it impacts others. I can accomplish this by renewing my mind daily through the Word of God, guarding my heart, praying for continued healing and if necessary, ask for help. Most of all to realize that I am valuable, fearfully and wonderfully made and there is someone who loves my with His very Life.
Beloved, that is you too. Take time now to think about what you think about. If it doesn't bring you life, joy and peace, do what is needed to change. You and everyone around you will be so glad you did.
Proverbs 23:7 As a Man thinks in his heart, so is he.. NIV
Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else guard your heart, for everything flows from it" NIV
Until Next time,
Blessing and Peace