Renewing our Thought Patterns
We become what we think about all day long. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
How true is the above statement! Our thought life is so very important in controlling how we feel and what we do each and every day.
When I was a teenager, I suffered from depression for years. I won't go into the details on why, but thankfully that is in the past now (only because of the encouragement I found in God's Word), but on occasion, I find myself sinking back into that old mire again.
A week or two ago, I felt gloomy. Actually, gloomy is a rather mild term for how I was feeling. All day long, it was as if there was a huge fog of depression over my head and I couldn't see through the fog to feel positive, no matter what I tried.
Throughout the day, thoughts would enter my mind- thoughts like, "Everything is going wrong and I don't have the ability to do the things I need to do. Nothing is going right. I am overwhelmed. No one even cares!" Those words would continually play in my mind and would make me feel so discouraged.
I allowed it to continue. As time went on, my miserable feelings seemed to get worse, and grew in volume as I started nursing the pain (self pity) and remembering things from the past that had ever hurt me that I had forgotten about until that point. I ended up having experiencing a fearful anxiety that just wouldn't go away.
The way I felt on the inside presented itself on the outside, and I could see the way it affected others in my family- it seemed like my negativity was a contagious disease that plagued everyone I came into contact with.
At the time, I was able to convince myself that this pattern of thought was something that was happening to me, and that it was something I could not do anything about. That was a lie.
Where did I first go wrong? I went wrong when I allowed that first tiny negative thought to take root in my heart. I should have plucked it up and prayed immediately, followed by battling those thoughts with Bible verses that would have reminded me of how blessed I really am - and about having a spirit of love and forgiveness instead of being bitter. I should have counted my blessings.
I was being selfish, actually. I was thinking only of myself, and feeling sorry for myself. It is impossible to feel depressed when you are feeling grateful. It not only affected me, but my whole household.
After being miserable for a long time, I cried out to God and tell Him how I was feeling. I told Him how sad I was. I told Him that I didn't understand why I was feeling that way but that I was sorry for allowing a spirit of fear and depression to take over me. I expressed to Him all of the things that had hurt me and why I was sad in the first place, and then gave those burdens to him. I asked for His help to do better in the future.
The next day, I felt renewed and did not have that cloudy fog of emotions anymore. I was amazed at how different I felt from the day before. It seemed like I could see things so much more clearly now, and a burden was lifted. I knew that God had forgiven me and that I could start things right again. I saw so many blessings where the day before, I couldn't seem to find any!
I saw a difference in my family as well. Not only is negativity contagious, but so is positivity! When your thoughts are on your blessings, what comes out of your mouth will reflect what is on the inside.
I have failed in this area before, and I will most likely fail again, but what I have learned is that I should always be diligent about planting positive and pure thoughts and allowing those only to take root in my heart (one good way is through reading scripture and praying), and to be consistently pulling out all of those nasty weeds that seem to appear in the garden of my heart before they choke out the good.
Phillipians 4:8
"...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove to be what is good and acceptable and perfect in the will of God.
How true is the above statement! Our thought life is so very important in controlling how we feel and what we do each and every day.
When I was a teenager, I suffered from depression for years. I won't go into the details on why, but thankfully that is in the past now (only because of the encouragement I found in God's Word), but on occasion, I find myself sinking back into that old mire again.
A week or two ago, I felt gloomy. Actually, gloomy is a rather mild term for how I was feeling. All day long, it was as if there was a huge fog of depression over my head and I couldn't see through the fog to feel positive, no matter what I tried.
Throughout the day, thoughts would enter my mind- thoughts like, "Everything is going wrong and I don't have the ability to do the things I need to do. Nothing is going right. I am overwhelmed. No one even cares!" Those words would continually play in my mind and would make me feel so discouraged.
I allowed it to continue. As time went on, my miserable feelings seemed to get worse, and grew in volume as I started nursing the pain (self pity) and remembering things from the past that had ever hurt me that I had forgotten about until that point. I ended up having experiencing a fearful anxiety that just wouldn't go away.
The way I felt on the inside presented itself on the outside, and I could see the way it affected others in my family- it seemed like my negativity was a contagious disease that plagued everyone I came into contact with.
At the time, I was able to convince myself that this pattern of thought was something that was happening to me, and that it was something I could not do anything about. That was a lie.
Where did I first go wrong? I went wrong when I allowed that first tiny negative thought to take root in my heart. I should have plucked it up and prayed immediately, followed by battling those thoughts with Bible verses that would have reminded me of how blessed I really am - and about having a spirit of love and forgiveness instead of being bitter. I should have counted my blessings.
I was being selfish, actually. I was thinking only of myself, and feeling sorry for myself. It is impossible to feel depressed when you are feeling grateful. It not only affected me, but my whole household.
After being miserable for a long time, I cried out to God and tell Him how I was feeling. I told Him how sad I was. I told Him that I didn't understand why I was feeling that way but that I was sorry for allowing a spirit of fear and depression to take over me. I expressed to Him all of the things that had hurt me and why I was sad in the first place, and then gave those burdens to him. I asked for His help to do better in the future.
The next day, I felt renewed and did not have that cloudy fog of emotions anymore. I was amazed at how different I felt from the day before. It seemed like I could see things so much more clearly now, and a burden was lifted. I knew that God had forgiven me and that I could start things right again. I saw so many blessings where the day before, I couldn't seem to find any!
I saw a difference in my family as well. Not only is negativity contagious, but so is positivity! When your thoughts are on your blessings, what comes out of your mouth will reflect what is on the inside.
I have failed in this area before, and I will most likely fail again, but what I have learned is that I should always be diligent about planting positive and pure thoughts and allowing those only to take root in my heart (one good way is through reading scripture and praying), and to be consistently pulling out all of those nasty weeds that seem to appear in the garden of my heart before they choke out the good.
Phillipians 4:8
"...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Proverbs 17:22
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Phillipians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove to be what is good and acceptable and perfect in the will of God.
Bethany, you are so right! I've had a few more of those gloomy days lately. It is nearing the date when my baby would have been due. Thank you for this post and for reminding me that "it is impossible to feel depressed when you are feeling grateful". So true. There is so much to be grateful for. My very breath is a gift from Him. I have begun journaling gifts (things I'm grateful for and recognize as grace from God). In case you haven't heard of her, check out Ann Voskamp's blog at aholyexperiencecom. She has written a book, "One Thousand Gifts". I highly recommend reading if you haven't already. Thank you, friend and sister, I needed this today. By the way, YOUR book helped me tremendously. I keep it in the memory box with other mementos of my sweet baby's short but profound life. Thank you.
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Kelli, thank you so much for the link!
I am so thankful knowing that the book was able to help you, and feel honored that you keep it in your baby's memory box. God turned a tragic situation into something beautiful when He allowed me to write that book to encourage others who have been through a loss. I hope you have a wonderful week!
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Bethany,
seems this was a disease spreading across the states, because that was my week!
Me too, I gave it back to God and feel so much better....
Thanks for being vulnerable and share!
Here is a link to my post that I wrote on Wednesday, if you care to read it:
(http://survivorblessing.blogspotcom/2012/01/joy-of-giving.html)
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Ann, I went and read your posts. It's amazing how similar your feelings were to mine. Different situations but same types of feelings. I am so thankful that you have found reasons to be thankful. I am sure that once you are holding that little one in your arms, all of those feelings will be gone forever. I hope that will come very soon for you.
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Bethany-you might think this sounds a bit crazy, but I think our souls are somehow connected. I was thinking about you this morning realizing I had not gotten a post from you for awhile. I had a bad day on Sat., I won't go into the details, but I was made upset by something a family member did and I was depressed for the rest of the day, and yesterday too. It was this morning that I was thinking of you and then a little bit later thinking of God and how he must get so upset with me sometimes because I don't always do as he wishes I would and I thought that I probably make Him upset when I don't think and do as he wishes I would, He surely wishes I wouldn't get so upset over things like had happened on Sat. Since he loves me unconditionally, and wants me to love my family that same way, I hurt him when I get upset over things about my loved ones. I need to try to be more like Him and love unconditionally. Then I read your post and the bible verses at the end and they "connect" with what my soul needs. Thank you!
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Diane, I don't think you're crazy at all! I'm so glad that this was able to help you. It's amazing how God works through others to give us the encouragement we need- even though I don't know everyone else's circumstances, He does. I am sorry that your family hurt you, and I hope that everything can be resolved soon. I'm so glad that you have overcome those negative feelings too, they really do pull you down!
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I think you know you are richly blest, Bethany : ) ---God is with you not only in sharing tips and helps but in the very good advice you gave on how to rely on Him and the support system He provides : ) You learned something very special last week and shared it so thoughtfully---Thank you! Jesus said He came that each of us might have LIFE and have it more abundantly : ) I appreciate the scripture quotations that have helped you return to your truly grateful heart. . .and how important that gratefulness is every second of the day! We are all wrapping our prayers around each other
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Thank you for your kind words, Claudia!
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