BRAINWASHED

"Huh? A battle in our minds?"

Happy New Year!!!!  It's late yes, but at least it's still January!!!!!  So, I'm reading this book called "Change Your Heart, Change Your Life" by Gary Smalley . . . yes, I'm actually reading.  It's all about how our circumstances/situations don't control our happiness and how we should change the beliefs in our mind by changing our hearts thus changing our reactions to every situation.  There's a lot more to it but basically we can all be joyful in everything, it's up to us. Our minds are underestimated controllers of our emotions.  Have you ever thought bad thoughts about things that might happen or have imaginary fights in your head with people?  Then after you're all mad about everything and no one knows why.  Yup, that's the mind.  It's crazy.  I do that alll the time and I really should stop.  What the book talks about is basically brainwashing your mind to the promises found in His word.  Seriously hide the beliefs in your heart and believe them and soon your reactions, your emotional stability, everything doesn't seem to suck as bad.  I'm doing the book no justice, just read it.  I never read and I'm actually reading!!!!

There's a lot of new stuff going on this year.  New ministries, new trials, new hurts, new disappointments, and a whole lot of unknowns.  When I don't know what's going on in my life I tend to go a little crazy.  I worry, I create scenarios and obstacles in my head (that may in fact never happen), and I become tense and short tempered.  A good friend of mine recommended this book to me and we are doing it together.  We meet to talk about it and she has been a complete blessing and encouragement to me.  I think when we are faced with the stuff that life throws at us, we really need to surround ourselves with good encouraging people who can pray with/for us.  We need to turn to God first and foremost so we know we're not alone, to remember that we are holding His hand so we'll never get lost.  We need to be brainwashed, get rid of all the bad stuff in our mind that tells us we're not good enough, or we're not loved, or that everything sucks.  We need to wash our brains (get it, brain-wash) and fill it with good, productive, true thoughts.  We need to immerse ourselves in truth, love, and all good stuff so that when the bad stuff happens, we have an abundant amount of strength and joy to protect us from letting the bad control our lives.

There is always a battle, but we have already won.

On a side note, I was battling this morning, my mind was taking over with bad stuff and everyone could tell coz I was acting all crazy and mad this morning (for no good reason).  My amazing husband offerred to watch the kids AND do laundry so I can get out of the house (it was probably his nice way of saying "Please leave, we can't stand you right now").  He offered to do laundry so he was probably really desperate.  Anywho, after meditating on His word and having some time to really commit my day to Him, I feel a lot better and I will return home a happy and loving person! See how powerful the mind is?  Take control of your mind and I guarantee you can control your emotions and actions!  God rocks!!!!!!

"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." Philippians 4:8