When Negative Thoughts Run Your Life
Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)
I knew they were there, but I tried to ignore them and deny their existence.
They controlled how I felt in the morning and when I went to sleep. They often caused my emotions to feel out of control, making me feel out of control too.
They dictated how I reacted to situations or conversations. They often made me feel offended, angry, or hurt, whether or not it was truly justified. They never ceased to remind me of my shortcomings and flaws, making me feel inferior and without value, and they constantly tried to pull me down with discouragement or hopelessness, stealing my peace and joy.
What are “they,” you ask?
My thoughts.
Life had been tough for many months due to a painful situation in my marriage, and as a result, negative thoughts were running my life.
I didn’t want to feel sad or unhappy, but my thoughts stayed consumed with all the things that made me sad and unhappy. I didn’t want to feel discouraged or fearful, but my heart was heavy.
My negative thoughts were weighing down not only my emotions but my outlook on life. I felt as if I were sinking mentally, emotionally, and at times spiritually.
Todays key verse gives us wise advice on dealing with our thoughts: “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23).
This passage was written by King Solomon for the benefit of his own sons. As I read Proverbs 4, I notice that although Solomon was the king of Israel, he didn’t just advise his sons about royal matters like how to handle money, job responsibilities, or leading the kingdom. Instead he spoke here of the value of controlling their thoughts, which would determine how his sons felt and lived.
The quality of our thoughts will always determine the quality of our lives.
Whatever our minds focus on will shape what plays out in our lives and who we become. Our thoughts and feelings have more power than we may realize, gradually steering us - and possibly our faith - in a direction we may not want to go. King Solomon knew it’s often our thoughts, not just our circumstances, that cause us to sink, and his scriptures counsel us to be careful about what we think and feel.
When I realized my thoughts were running my life, I admitted to Jesus how I had allowed emotionally fueled thoughts to sink my joy, hope, and faith. I asked Him to remind me of His Truth that says I can be positive even if my circumstances aren’t.
As He helped me intentionally change my thoughts, my life changed as well. And so can yours.
Dear Lord, at times I feel as if I’m sinking in my attitude, my thought patterns, and even my faith. Forgive me for letting negativity have power over how I feel, think, and live. Fill me with hope today. Give me wisdom to control my attitude, and help me learn to transform my thoughts, heart, and life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
- Tracie Miles
Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"
Jesus Wants You To Know...
Don’t get trapped in a posture of demanding to know “Why?” That is the wrong question to ask Me. The right questions are: “How do You want me to view this situation?” and “What do You want me to do right now?” You cannot change the past, so start with the present moment and seek to find My way forward.
"I realized that no one can discover everything God is doing under the sun. Not even the wisest people discover everything, no matter what they claim." - Ecclesiastes 8:17
- "Jesus Always" by Sarah Young
When The Flesh Wins
What happens when you fail?
When the flesh wins.
When you fall back into something you thought God already delivered you from.
Those moments.
I love Jesus. I really do.
I seek Him. I pray. I open His Word. I want my life to reflect Him. But if you follow my content, I want you to understand something about me…
I’m not perfect.
There are days I struggle.
Days where my flesh gets the better of me.
Days where I walk away from a moment thinking,
“Lord… I should have handled that differently.”
And I’ll be honest…
There are days my flesh wins battles I wish it didn’t. And in those moments the enemy loves to whisper, “See? You’re not who you say you are.”
But here’s something I’ve learned through my failures… Those moments are exactly what the gospel is about.
The gospel was never for people who never fall. It’s for people who fall… and realize they desperately need a Savior. It’s for the person who runs back to God after messing up and says…
“Lord, without Your mercy I have nothing.”
My failures don’t make me run from Christ.
They make me run to Him. Because every time I fall short, I’m reminded of something powerful…
I was never saved because of my perfection. I was saved because of His grace. So if you follow my page thinking I’ve got it all figured out…
I don’t.
I’m just a flawed human being who loves Jesus and keeps getting back up, running to the cross.
The cross wasn’t built for people who have it all together, It was built for people like me who don’t.
Author: Ryan Teaford
