A belief is made up of THOUGHTS.
When you think a thought repeatedly, your brain chemically stores that thought in your long-term memory. Most of our thoughts (some scientists say about 80% of them) are negative. Negative thoughts lay the foundation for negative beliefs. Repeating negative thoughts provide the scaffolding for erecting stronger, more resilient negative beliefs. And before we know it, we've built a negative habit of mind. Okay. So what? Have you ever felt stuck? Frustrated? At wit's end?
Yeah, me, too. This weekend, I got "stuck" in a bit of striving--I forgot to ask God what He thought, where He wanted me to spend my time and energy--and my otherwise aimless wandering left me spinning my wheels and feeling a bit frustrated and overwhelmed. I couldn't believe how much time I invested trying to figure out how to complete 2 ministry tasks--and with no success! GRRR.... I think God gently reminded me that the idea was for me to FOLLOW. From small decisions and initiatives to the really big ones, He has my back. Even in the daily tasks and mundane chores, He has a plan for me and my time. I discovered something so profound in my angst.... I first heard the expression "Done beats perfect" in Life on Fire Academy (a coaching program with a group of Christian entrepreneurs that I participate in). This expression reminds me that all my adventures in life really gigantic works in progress.
Too often, we tell ourselves that we will finish that masterpiece as soon as it's painted perfectly or we'll chase that big dream when the time is just right. But what happens when we put things off, shying away from even trying? Apparently, we're gaining weight during Covid, a phenomenon fondly called "The Quarantine 15." And it's no wonder, right?! The sad news is that America already had a weight problem that has only grown over these last 9 months.
According to Statista, 26% of US adults are inactive and 31% are obese (the highest rate in the WORLD!). The cause? Nearly half of all Americans conclude that main contributors for obesity are inactivity and a poor diet. Our daily routines have changed drastically and our stress levels have skyrocketed in 2020. The gyms are closed, and we stock up on prepackaged foods or takeout. How do we cope with all the fear and the unknowns? To what do we turn in our time of need? For some folks, it's Food. Though we may be more inactive than ever and though we may not be choosing the most healthy foods during this long and troublesome season, there is another culprit at play as well, and we tend to shy away from addressing this all-too-familiar foe when it comes to food. Did you know there's a Bible verse that pleads with God to put a guard over our mouths and to keep watch over the door of our lips? (Psa. 141:3)
Boy, do I ever need that kinda support! And not just one guard. Heck. A whole army would be much better! We might as well call in the troops! Our words are so powerful, and when we get to the point of actually speaking what we are thinking, we bring REALITY to those words and thoughts as they usher in life or death. So, of course, we want to exercise caution. But. It's. Hard. Fortunately for us BRAIN CHANGERS, we've got a good shot at not letting those rogue thoughts escape our lips if we learn and practice the art of taking thoughts captive. We learn to stop them in their tracks! |
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