"Stinking Thinking"

"Anxiety attacks, depression, somber moods, feelings of not being in control of your mind, unfounded fears, and bursts of anger all start in the mind. They are what you have allowed yourself to become through your 40,000 daily thoughts. By reacting the same way repeatedly, you establish habits that become so much a part of you that they may seem to be organic--a part of your physical make-up.

Stinking thinking is an addiction that will grow into such a habit that it controls the body and deceives the mind." ~Debi Pearl

When I read this I was struck. I don't know how many times I have read or heard:

~as a man/woman thinks so is he/she.

~out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

I know that the way I think is how I will act. But I interpreted this concept as whatever I think or believe about something, is how I will act, rather than the individual thoughts that pop into my head throughout the day determining how I will act or react.

Let me give you an example. I think/believe that we should be patient with our children. I believe taking the time to train them should be a top priority.

Yesterday, Iris did something that needed correction. The thought that immediately ran through my head was I don't have time for this. Well if that is my thought, that I don't have time for this, I am going to either act frustrated that I have to deal with it or I'm going to battle my own flesh to maintain patient composure to deal with it.

Because I had just read the quote above, I immediately realized my wrong thought and corrected myself with Yes, you do have time for this! This is all you have time for right now.

It was much easier to focus on lovingly training my daughter when my thinking was right. Otherwise, I would have corrected her as quickly as possible and moved on - back to what I wanted to be doing.

...and take every thought captive to obey Christ...

II Corinthians 10:5b

Grab those sinful, selfish thoughts as soon as they pop into your mind. Throw them out and replace them with God-pleasing thoughts. Replace the habit of negative thinking with a habit of godly thinking that will change your life.

Shame and Discipline

Stumbled across this post...

Power of Suggestion

What words strike fear in the heart and soul and stomach of this mommy?

"Mommy, my stomach doesn't feel well."

Ah, man! Please, God, don't let it happen!

But it did. Sweet Pea has a stomach bug. I dragged her mattress into our bathroom along with the portable tv. She's been watching the 6-week mini-series of Little House on the Prairie that we recorded a couple years ago. Poor thing.

Everyone else feels fine (so far). Dad asked me how I was feeling. I said, "Well, as usual, as soon as someone throws up, I start feeling yucky." And I do. It's the idea that I might be next. So any time I go to eat something I asked myself if I really want to see it later. Gross, I know.

It's the power of suggestion that those germs are lurking, ready take their next victim, which could be me!

It's also the power of suggestion that captures many victims in other areas - especially children. Like when they hear us talk to others about certain character flaws they may be struggling with. Soon they will be caught up in these "suggestions". It's like labeling, but not to their face.

"She has a hard time with ..." or "He just doesn't get along with ..."

It may be absolutely true. But sometimes instead of addressing the issue head on and helping them overcome their sins, we just make excuses for our kids' behavior.

"Kids will be kids" and "Boys will be boys" and "She's at that age". True statements. But not good reasons to ignore disrespect, disobedience, unkindness, ungratefulness, etc.

Let your kids hear these comments and "suggestions" and they'll live up to them.

But if we remember Paul's words that love hopes all things, they don't have to be trapped. In love, hope the best out of your children. Love them, encourage them, guide them, and train them up.

Don't grow weary in doing this good, because if you don't give up, you will reap a harvest of righteousness in your children's lives and maybe in yours as well.