Stinkin' Thinkin': 3 Tips to Take Those Thoughts Captive

Have you heard the term, "Stinkin' thinkin'"? It makes me giggle along with my kids. It rhymes, it's catchy. It reminds me every time I hear it or think it, that I need to take my thoughts captive. Maybe you do too, which is why I wanted to share with you. 

“…and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ…”  2 Corinthians 10:5 

Your Thoughts Are Who You Are

Do you struggle to take control of your thoughts? I know I do. Very recently, after a misunderstanding, old wounds were reopened and all I could do was dwell on the injustice I felt. What I didn't realize was how it colored everything. Because my thoughts were dwelling on this incident, it painted how I thought of my kids, my work, and myself. 

Maybe you struggle with envy, jealousy, rejection, worry, or fear. Or your thoughts are just plain unkind, crabby, unhelpful thoughts like:

"What is she doing on the worship team, have you seen the suggestive clothes she wears?"

"Why does she always seem to have the newest phone or shoes, new curtains, new house, and when I buy stuff, it doesn't look that good. My taste stinks."

"I can't believe they let that woman in here."

"He wants to go to school next year, but I'm worried that he won't be ready."

"I never seem to have it all together, why I can't I be better at this?"

"She is SO unkind, just plain mean to me. I'm so hurt that she said that to me. And my kids have been little monsters today, they are SO not listening to me. AND the house is a complete disaster, AND I didn't have time to clean it. AND that to-do list of repairs is still on the fridge. AND my husband is going to be getting home late again...AND"

Tell me what you thought of the last example? Have you ever noticed that if you're in a stinky mood, it permeates and spills over onto everything that is happening in your life? Did you ever stop to notice how hard it is not have stinky thoughts? They just keep rolling in like tidal waves in a storm. Things keep getting worse and worse with no end in sight.

Thankfully I have a few tips that I've picked up along the way that I can share with you that I've learned from friends and because I've encountered situations like the examples of above.

Febreeze that Stinkin' Thinkin'

I Need a Brainwash

Music affects our moods, it has the ability to lighten our moods and lower our blood pressure. I love listening to my favorite radio stations.

• My Bridge Radio can be played on your computer or via radio. They now offer the lyrics to the songs they broadcast, which is awesome if you're a wordy chick like me.
• K-LOVE is another favorite I use online. 

Some of my current favorite videos via YouTube:

• Lose My Soul:Toby Mac, Kirk Franklin, & Mandisa
• The Lost Get Found: Britt Nicole (This is has been my ring tone for the three years.)
• From The Inside Out: Seventh Day Slumber (I'm a groupie, so proud of these boys!)

Of course you can always use your IPod and create a playlist of songs that are uplifting and remind you of who really is in charge of your life and your mind.

Stick It

Of course, we can't listen to music all of the time, but you do carry a purse don't you? Get some note cards or sticky notes, write out specific verses that empower you, knowing God is in control. 

Some of my favorite power Scriptures that I stand on are:

When I need peace:

• ...And the peace of God...will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7.
• “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you...“  John 14:27

When I need to know God is with me:

• “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you…”  Isaiah 43:1-3
• “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.”  Psalm 118:6

Find Scriptures that speak to your heart, stick them in your purse, on your mirror, in your car, on your treadmill.

Let Someone Read to You

If you're a busy mama which I imagine you are, there are other ways to stay in God's word and let His Words strengthen your heart and clear your mind of stinky thoughts. I just discovered YouVersion for editing purposes but found they have apps for your latest gadget. It's a great way to stay in God's word or you can listen to it at night as you're falling asleep.

• You Version for IPhone
• You Version for Android
• Listen from your computer at Bible Gateway

Taking our thoughts captivated can be a tenaciousness process, unless we discipline ourselves to be grounded in God's Word. I've found over time, that my kids are better thinkers and actors when we are listening to worship music. I know your struggles are just as real as mine and it's hard to keep our thoughts pure, but with God all things are possible!

Poop on the Sly

"No. NO! NO!" I moaned. It was barely six a.m. and I was in for it already. Tori had strolled into my room at five-thirty asking if it was time to get up. I was so tired from being up with her all night long from her upper respiratory virus. I mumbled for her to play. She pulled on my covers, so I told her to change into her panties trying to buy a few more precious moments of sleep.
       Before long I had no choice but to get out of bed to get the kids off to school and wait for the arrival of my daycare kiddos. As I puttered around the kitchen, I kept catching a whiff of something, well, poopy. I snipped at my son, "Elijah remember we don't fart in front of ladies, you do that in the garage with your Daddy."
"Mom", he whined, "I didn't fart." I wasn't awake enough to argue the point with him and needed to get Tori dressed. So again puttered toward her room, and then I saw it! Poop was smeared down the comforter on the edge of her bed from where had sat down to change! Poopy wipes next to her poopy pull-up. I rushed out to find her and she was prancing into the kitchen with poop stained undies (Oh, yes the graphic details are necessary).
       My morning consisted of bleach induced cleaning frenzy on top of the chores I was behind on. It's days like this when I purposely run to God. If I don't it's too easy to be irritable, crabby, and consumed with chores. The rest of my day didn't go as planned either (like anyone plans for poop on the sly), and that included  being 15 minutes late picking up another daycare kiddo from his preschool; not to mention battling terrible two's with Tori. We've had at least seventeen different stand-off's, all before lunch.
     Instead of being sucked in to negativity by a stealth poopy, wars, and anxiety, I let go of everything. There were moments when I wanted to snap, scream, and growl; instead I made the conscience choice to "Let go and Let God". My day isn't going how I planned, I'm tired, and poop isn't my favorite topic. Instead of giving into the crappy moments (no pun intended) and allowing my day to be ruled by Tori's rear end,  I'm choosing to rest in God.

      Have you ever had mornings, days, maybe even  weeks like this? How did you handle the day? Did you give it to God? Share your story!

Gratitude Is The Attitude that Sets the Altitude for Living....

          Going on day two of 'adjusting my attitude' with the bible study from James MacDonald (Lord, Change My Attitude). During class today, he said something profound that hit my heart like a missile looking for its target. "Gratitude is the attitude that sets the altitude for living," try saying that three times fast. Better yet, get alone with God and think about this phrase. We have much to be thankful for, even it's just our very life itself. Though it may not be much, I would rather be thankful for my life than complain over every little thing that hasn't gone my way.
            How many times have I been ungrateful or have I complained about stupid stuff. Here's a few examples, I don't have a flat screen, I don't have Buckle jeans, I wish my kids were more behaved. I hate driving my dented mini van,  I hate the time frame I have in which to shuttle kids for preschool. I wish I had breast implants (vanity issue, I know!), Why can't it be warmer out? I wish groceries weren't so expensive, why can't my laundry fold itself, does my friend have to gossip about everything?

         Now that you know my flaws, please don't hold them against me! I have more serious complaints but I choose not to put those on here for my sanity sake. However when I choose to have this type of attitude, I forget about God's blessings and how His hand has always guided my life, even in the small every day things of being at home. So I propose this for all of you wanting to change your attitude and wanting to remember what God has done for you.

      Create a Blessings Jar. Take an old oatmeal can or something fancier to fit your decor. Next as a family, talk about attitudes; "Gratitude is the attitude that sets the altitude for living." Each time that God has provided for your needs, great or small, it's something to be thankful for. So on a slip of paper, write the date and the moment. Not only will it teach your children a heart of thankfulness, it will serve as a reminder just how big our God is, and how much He moves in your daily life. You can pull them out in moments you are feeling discouraged and will serve as memories for both you and your kids.

Let me know how your project went with the family. Post your comments please.

Attitude Adjustment

             


       Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phillipians 4:6 NIV.

       "If you don't change your attitude young lady, I'm gonna ground your butt into next week!" My mom's remarks still echo in my mind to this day. It was something I heard from my mom on a daily basis. Now that I'm all grown up, it's come to light in a different way. Over this last year, I've complained about relationships, friendships, my home, my husband's job, my kids, and more. At the same time, God's voice has dialed down to silence. I can honestly relate to being in the wilderness, full of sand, wind, and nothingness. After months of silence, I finally heard His voice and His answers are resonating off the pages of my current Sonrise Bible Study.

"Heather it's your attitude."
"What? My attitude? But God, I love You with all my heart, I'm faithful to You in all that I do, what attitude?"

     Apparently God doesn't like complainers. Complaints, and a heart of discontent leads us away from God. Don't know what I'm taking about? Remember the Israelites, well if not here's a quick crash course of the Old Testament. The Israelites had been slaves in Egypt for hundreds of years and God heard their cries. So He showed His power in rescuing them after sending a man named Moses to battle with the Pharaoh. God sent several plagues and made the Pharaoh wish he had never heard of God. Then God led the Israelites out into the desert. He parted the Red Sea, sent a cloud to guide them by day, a pillar of fire by night. He provided for all their needs with food, water, and their clothes never wore out. During their 40 day journey after seeing sign after sign of this amazing God; were they rejoicing in the awesomeness of this God? NOPE, instead they complained every step of the way. They roused God's anger against them and instead of entering into the promised land full of every abundance imaginable, they got to wander in the desert for 40 years, one year for each day they complained against God. Only children and those under the age of 20 got to enter into the promised land.
         As harsh as this sounds, God is serious about the attitudes of our hearts. Complaints lead to lack of faith, lack of faith leads to worry, discontentment, jealousy, bitterness, cynicism, disobedience, and separates us from God. While I was busy complaining about the repairs our house needed, or about friendships going awry, I became more focused on these issues and not how God was moving in my life. Blessings had been overlooked. He provided a house that though it was old, repairs were easy to make and He had given me a husband who is gifted in carpentry and working with his hands. Instead of being satisfied with real genuine friendships, I was vomiting all over them about the friends who had hurt and scarred me. Instead of seeing the blessings in the children He had given me, I was complaining about their disobedience and fighting.
         Since God has a sense of humor and doesn't want to leave me wandering around in the desert forever, He got my attention with the Bible Study 'Lord Change My Attitude' and today's verse from Remembering 2011 with My Bridge Radio. Not only has He slapped me back into my senses, He's humbled my thoughts and is cleaning out my heart of discontement and negative attitude. I can't begin to tell you how light my heart has been this week. Yes, I still have problems and things that cause me to worry and instead of falling back into my old negative attitude, I bring my thoughts quickly to God and then thank Him for what He is doing in my life.
          My challenge to you this week is this: Memorize Phillipians 4:6, then write out every blessing that God has given you recently. Next make a list of what is not going the way you want it in your life right now. Write out why you are discontent and worried. Next present these worries to God, ask Him to clenase your heart of your negative attitude. Ask Him to help you see what it is that He is doing and pray to be a part of it. Life doesn't always go the way we plan it, BUT God works everything together for your good and according to His plan.

• What are some of your complaints?
• Did you know that God considers complaints as sin?
• Were you aware that worry is a lack of faith in God?
• Share your comments please.

Battlefield of the mind

"You're not good enough. Why would anyone want to be friends with someone like you?". "You're SO stupid, and ugly for the matter. Do you really think anyone would want to take the time to hang out with you?" "Your husband doesn't love you, he's just stuck with you." "Your entire family would be better off without you." Does any of this sound familiar? If it does, then the enemy is at war with you. He begins bombarding our minds with clever little thoughts, using a well laid out strategy causing us to begin to believe the things we are thinking. The thoughts above is what I heard since I was a little girl. Not only did the enemy use my mind against me, he had my family re-confirm it.
It was my first day of kindergarten and my Dad must have been drunk or hung over because his breathe smelled rancid and he could barely stand. He took me out of the house and sat me on the hood of his jeep under the carport, all the while I tried to avoid eye contact and stared at the olive green paint peeling on the corners of the house. He grabbed my face and my hand and shoved a marble into it. "Keep this marble between your knees Heather, that way you wont be a slut and you wont get pregnant. That's all the guys will want from you anyway." I started crying and tried to look away. I hated what he was telling me, I didn't understand it but I knew it he was speaking some terrible things over my life. He let go of my face and staggered away saying, "If you don't keep that marble between your knees, you'll be pregnant by the time your 16 and be another high school drop out."
Moments like this were a constant in my life. I had begun to believe I was nothing, that I was a piece of trash among other things that people had said to me. One of the strong points of the enemy is that he has patience and slowly built a web around me my entire life. He knows what we like and don't like, he knows our fears, and insecurities and plays on them. It wasn't until my best friend and sister in Christ taught me about taking my mind captive. It's probably the most valuable lesson she has ever taught me and backed this lesson with her support, friendship, and guidance.
Taking my mind captive meant that I had to stand on the word of God, believing in his promises that are spoken in his word. Whenever a negative thought came racing to my mind, I replaced it with a scripture that I learned or praying to Jesus to take that particular thought captive. The weapons of the word are the most powerful, besides praising God and prayer. John 8:31,32 states, "...if you abide in my word [hold fast to my teachings and live in accordance to them], you are truly My disciples. And you will know the truth, and the Truth will set you free." My past may explain why I was suffering but it wasn't an excuse to stay in the bondage I was in. I wanted to be free!
It certainly wasn't easy and I thought at the time as a new person in Christ that it was a crock! How can saying certain words over and over make these thoughts, and feelings go away. Little did I realize what the bible meant about the scripture being "God-breathed" and "alive". The more I focused on Christ and his word, the less frequently I had to battle my thoughts. 1 Corinthians 10:13 best explains the way out of negative thoughts, memories, and feelings from the amplified bible. "For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin, no matter how it comes or where it leads) has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as a man can bear]. But God is faithful [to his word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place)that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently."
The enemy knows how to take our life's circumstances and created strongholds and walls within our lives that keeps us from being free to be the person God created us to be. It was a very long uphill battle when it came to my thoughts. After I would fight and win a battle over thoughts like being white trash, something new would come along like not being thin enough for my husband and sadly enough I would believe it before my friend would set me straight and I would again take my mind captive. But thank God, he provides a way out. He alone is my anchor and my weapon of choice is the bible. What helped solidify this practice in my life was also reading "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyer...for anyone in need of learning how to have faith in God's word and how to take your thoughts captive...I HIGHLY recommend it.