In Caroline Leaf's book, Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess, she says, "We can go three weeks without food, three days without water, three minutes without oxygen—but we can't even go for three seconds without thinking."
Here is what I think this quote means, our thoughts matter!
Can negative thoughts impact our health and body?
The answer is a resounding YES!
I struggle with negative thoughts too. Want to hear them? These are what I call lies!
Lies:
I am a fraud because I still struggle with anxiety and fear.
I should be smarter and wiser by now.
I am not educated enough to fulfill my calling in ministry.
My children need more than I can give them.
Friendships are made to be broken, and people can not be trusted.
Leadership is lonely.
I am too much for people.
Do you believe lies about yourself too?
What are they? Take a moment to think about what you're thinking about. Write them down.
Here is a visual of what happens when you start to believe a lie or negative thought.
They snowball and get bigger and bigger, and before you know it, they plow right over your head!
We have to learn to take our thoughts captive like this.
Take the truth of God's word and replace that negative thought (lie) with God's truth!
Here is an example of truth covering my lies.
Lie: I am a fraud because I still struggle with anxiety and fear.
Truth: Fear is an indicator but it should not be a dictator. The emotion of fear doesn't get a vote for how I will respond, but it can indicate where I need to turn in scripture.
Lie: I should be smarter and wiser by now.
Truth: I will be confident of this; Jesus, who began a good work in me, will carry it out to completion.
Lie: I am not educated enough to fulfill my calling in ministry.
Truth: I am not enough on my own, but with Jesus, I have everything I need. YOU formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works!
Lie: My children need more than I can give them.
Truth: My children and husband must rely on Jesus. I am not their savior and don't have to try and be. I will be grateful that God's grace is sufficient for me and His power is made perfect in my weakness.
Lie: Friendships are made to be broken, and people can not be trusted.
Truth: Well-meaning people may hurt me or steer me in the wrong direction, but the voice of God never will.
Lie: Leadership is lonely.
Truth: Leadership is a gift. He will give me every relationship I need to accomplish His will.
Lie: I am too much for people.
Truth: For I am his workmanship, created for good works, which He prepared before I was even born; therefore, I will walk boldly in my purpose and who He made me to be.
Do you get caught in the snowball of negative thoughts? My dear friend Sarah and I realized this was something many struggle with and developed a program called Freedom Thoughts. We have shared this with hundreds of people and celebrated with them as we watched them boldly declare truth over their lives.
We have the opportunity to share this message again on March 4th at Grace Chruch St.Louis. If, when you stop to become aware of your thoughts, the negative spoke more loudly than the truth, it's time to free up your thinking. I invite you to join us as we take a hands-on approach to overcome negative snowball thinking. Register here.
One more fun thing! It's time for a GIVEAWAY! Remember that book I'm writing? It's almost time for you to get the chance to pre-order it! But before then, my fantastic literary agent and the authors that she supports have banded together for an amazing giveaway. You can win a copy of Stand Fearless plus more (a prize package valued at $200+) or one of two Amazon gift cards (valued at $300 + $100)!
The giveaway ends tomorrow!!! Enter Here!
Love,
