Tell yourself something good

Basically, for years I considered myself to be the positive thinker and optimist of the family.  I always seemed to find the silver lining and always seemed to think the best of most situations.  Somewhere, though, I must admit that this changed.  I'm not sure when, but I have my suspicions.  From a spiritual standpoint it began when I stopped writing or giving thanks for the blessings in my life.  It probably also started when I gave some people in my life too much leeway in affecting how I felt about myself.  Or when I let the negativity of others infect me.

No matter when it actually started, the main point is that it got to a point that we had to do something.  Trish noticed and pointed out that I had become so negative that my whole outlook had changed.  I stopped seeing people, situations, circumstances or even opportunities as anything other than something negative.  I even began to be a drain on her.  I took being negative to a whole new low.  You see, if I could find a way to bring out the negative, I did it.  I was doing it so well that unless Trish told me, I didn't even know I was doing it.  It was really bad.

So, we decided to do something about it.  Trish and I have been reading some really good books and articles about our words.  We are reading one by Joyce Meyer, another book by a speaker at a Weekend to Remember conference (familylife.com/weekend), and various other blogs.  Many of these posts talk about the power of our words, the power of our minds, and the power of agreeing with God.  This post is part of my journey towards being recreated in the positive self image that God created for me.  It is also my spin on many of the articles I've read today.

We all probably know the scripture from Proverbs 18, life and death are in the power of the tongue.  And we probably have heard a few of the other scriptures about getting rid of all course talk, all filth, slander, anger, wrath and malice.  I know just recently I have read about putting away all filthy speech.

I've read all of these before, but it wasn't until today that I really began to get the picture.  We say what we think, and we believe what we say.  This applies not just to what we think about others, but most of all about what we think and say about ourselves.  In being negative, I was thinking and saying negative things about myself.  I didn't put it together that what I needed to do was think about the true, noble, right, pure, lovely and praiseworthy things about myself.  I didn't realize that I needed to refute and cast out arguments and any stronghold that went against the knowledge and will of God.  So, I needed to say these positive things about myself as well.

In the concept of positive thinking  I needed Philippians 4:8:

whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (NIV)

Somehow, I missed or forgot that I needed to agree with God, that he loves me, that I am wonderfully made, and that I was created in his image and it was good.  I needed to remember that Jesus died for me, while I was a sinner.  He also promises to complete the process of making me more mature and perfect in Christ.  I need to remember that while I am on this journey, I will fail, but he also promises to never leave me or forsake me.  Somehow, I just got caught up in believe what others said about me and I totally forgot what God said and what I needed to say.

Today's blog was a great reminder to put it all back in focus.  To that end, one blogger suggested that we need to find a catch phrase, motto or mantra for those times when we are tempted to be negative or things aren't going as we thought or planned.  She suggested we find something that we tell ourselves - something to bring a spring back into our step and a smile to our faces.  I'm searching for my motto and my mantra.  I have a few, but so far nothing seems to stick.  Here are a few:

• Yes, Jesus Loves Me!
• Forgiven, Saved, Loved!
• Smile, God Loves You!
• Do Not Fear
• Your Better Than This
• Let it Rent Space
• No Long Term Leases
• God favors me and I'm expecting something awesome to come my way soon.
• Blessed are the pure in heart
• Jesus keep me near the cross

I need something!  I need something to help me re-frame conversations.  I need something to remind me that hurt, pain and negative thoughts can only rent space (and no long term leases).  I need something to remind me that God is in love with me, still in love with me, and will always love me.  I need something good, easy to remember and up beat.

I'll keep thinking - but I'm positive I'll come up with something soon.