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!

Move, You're In The Way

(Photo Source: www.utne.com)

        

     How many times have you been forcing to make something happen in your own strength? This past Sunday, as the Pastor touched on the Lord's Prayer. He described a story of a little boy who wanted to help his Daddy move a desk across the room. The father began pushing and the little boy braced his shoulder against the desk, and told his father, "Move Dad, you're in the way." Daddy of course chuckled and obliged his son's request.

The four year old little boy, pushed with all his might, but the desk would not move.

     Have you been there? You're working on a project with God, you know He's got your back, but the timing is moving too slow. Maybe it's not moving in the direction you wanted. You've told God, "Move out of the way, buddy, I got it," only to realize that when God steps back and says, "Have it your way," you find that life isn't moving anywhere?

     I've been there, in more ways that one. I was there for two years trying to get pregnant. I was there trying to make a career in management work. I was there when I was trying to avoid all charges of a felony offense. I was there when I was trying to make my marriage work.

     In case you haven't noticed, I tend to be a stubborn learner, with an education through the school of hard knocks, I've learned that unless I'm walking side by side with God, life doesn't move. If I run ahead of God, I'm pushing that desk all by myself. It's not until we invite God into our lives, that His strength begins being poured into us, when we say, "God, Your will be done, not mine. Walk with me Lord through this journey, show me Your way, and help me. I surrender."

    Yeah, I know what you're saying, "Surrender, that's a big word and huge effort." Surrendering doesn't mean we become powerless, it means we become filled with His power. It flows out of His spirit into ours, making the impossible happen.

   Whatever 'desk' you happen to be moving, invite God into your struggle, ask Him for help. You'll be amazed how quickly He moves. It reminds me of one of my favorite scripture verses:

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]. Philippians 4:13, Amplified Bible.

     

Are You an Angry Mom?

     

     Hold the phone ladies, back away from the Proverbs 31 wife perspective for a moment. I think we missed a chick that had far more superior wisdom several books ago. Sure we all want to be diligent, finding favor in our husband’s eyes and being called ‘blessed’ by our children; but in order to have this kind of life we need to build our families up.

    For the last few months God has graciously brought another area to the surface. I've uprooted addictions, insecurities, become more disciplined and now that things are somewhat calm around here, and it’s time to work on something that no mom or wife really wants to talk about...ANGER. It's time to work on my issue, being called quick tempered, Irish, or needing anger management isn't so funny anymore. It's especially eye opening when I see them tense up and back away from me as my voice gets louder and my body gets increasingly tense.

     Last week I got to travel with a good friend of mine to a speaking engagement and I got the nerve to tell her about the issue and the struggles of trying to change. She replied that some of us don’t ever get out of the anger cycle because it works for us. That’s right ladies, we have a temper because, “It works for us.” Think about it, does your child stop his/her behavior when that pot boils over? Does your husband give your space or allow you to do what you want to do?

     I’ll admit it, my temper flaring is my biggest weakness, and when it flares how then am I supposed to build my family up? All the diligence and buying of fields in the world isn’t going to matter if my attitude and words tear my family at the seams. Proverbs 14:1 says, “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”  Anger and frustration get in the way of calm voices, and words that could shape my children’s hearts. Instead, anger causes hurt feelings, careless words, and leaving family member’s feelings very insecure.

    Before I can pursue being a Proverbs 31 woman, I need to pursue the wise woman who builds up her family. I’d much rather build my children and husband up in their esteem and confidence, I’d rather focus my energy on investing in their lives as God intended me to. 

The Shape of Motherhood

     Ever feel like a ball of play dough? If I were to describe myself at the moment, that would be it, a fresh new peice of play dough that is no longer sitting round and unshaped in its container. Instead, I'm in God's hands being smashed, kneaded, pulled apart, and reshaped. In this new season of motherhood, there are several things reshaping my heart, my view of motherhood and God. Cheyenne's diagnosis of Aspergers squeezed everything I knew about God in my heart. Then there's a new development in my son's behaviors, which is leading us down a familiar road of A.D.H.D., all the while, I'm trying to balance my writing career, on top of juggling the mommy domestic dailies and the new behavior and learning issues of my first two kids.
    God is using all these circumstances to tug and pull me into the shape He wants me to be, and here I thought motherhood was about raising kids. In reality, God is using motherhood to shape me. He is using my children to bring to the surface areas that need His hands. He is molding me because I need Him. We all need Him. If we are willing to place ourselves in His hands, count on God molding, shaping and reshaping you into the design He intended. Tricia Goyer's book title caught my eye, the book Blue Like Play Dough: the shape of motherhood in the grip of God says it all. It speaks volumes to my heart in one sentence. Though I haven't read the book yet, I can imagine how God used motherhood to shape her heart as well.
     In a way we all are like balls of play dough and God is asking us if we want to be shaped for His design. It's up to us to bring our insecurities, our worries, our perceptions to Him. In the process of life, He will use our children as His hands to do the shaping. It comes through the sleepless nights, insisting on whats best for your toddler and so much more. He will use diangosis' of disorders to tugg our hearts into the direction He wants us to lead. Though sometimes it's painful, He alone sees the finished design.

Time & Balance: Your Way or His Way.

    

     The shock and surprise of our new addition still hasn't worn off. It's been maybe seventy-two hours and already I'm in the 'what if' mode. Chris and I had dreamed about having another child, we talked about maybe going to see a specialist next year to start the fertility process. Apparently the fertility doctor won't be needed, according to all five pregnancy tests and the doctors confirmation last week. Dreaming about something like this and doing it are two very different things in my book! Dreaming means in my time and in my way.

    As I lay in bed, I wondered what God was up to. I just didn't see how the timing of this baby was good, besides if it were according to my timing, this baby would have been born in December to follow my other children's ages and birthday's--all born from oldest to youngest in September, October and November. December makes sense, April doesn't.

    The timing of it all doesn't make sense. This year we are bracing ourselves between Cheyenne's recent diagnosis of Autism, preparing for the homework battle, running her to therapy, and I've taken on the position as Kearney's MOPS coordinator for the next three years. In my book, having another baby right now isn't a good time.

     As I rolled over yet again, my heart bursting with joy over this new arrival and then bouncing to the 'what ifs', my heart recalled a verse from Romans. Romans 8:28 says, "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose." As this thought took root, I saw what God had planned, as this year progresses, so will the pregnancy while I attend to Cheyenne's needs. I'll be able to balance MOPS and my two little ones. The baby will arrive in April, just before school and MOPS ends. We will have all summer to welcome and adjust  to this new bundle of joy before school and MOPS starts again. Apparently God's plans are so much better than mine!