
Lately I've been re-reading, Battlefield of the Mind, by Joyce Meyer. One of my favorite chapters challenges us to "think about, what your thinking about." As simple as it sounds, it really enlightened me to how much negativity flows through my mind on a daily basis.
Of course, realistically I expect my mind to wander from one topic to another...be it work, what's for dinner, what bills are coming, what's next on TV???etc. But after reading and listening to Joyce's message and really paying attention to what she was trying to convey through her words, I learned just how important my thoughts really are.
Following an example in the book, I mentally challenged myself to really focus on where my thoughts where going and how my life was reflecting those thoughts. Believing it to be a simple task of just focusing my thoughts, I found it to be a little more than I expected... Surprise,surprise... it was the mental equivalent of of trying to swat away gnats while sitting outside at a barbecue. You swipe away at them fruitlessly only to have them return to your face before your hand even finishes the motion. Hot, sweaty and frustrated you either quit trying or move indoors letting those pesky flies win that battle; while you slunk away in defeat, or just stand there under their constant abuse doing nothing about it.
At first it was really simple...think positive - OK I got that! Then one nagging doubt came and when I tried to change the direction of my thoughts another took its place and it happened over and over until I just gave up and let my mind think whatever it wanted.
Lo and behold....Ironically, my life was doing the very same thing.Example, the window motor in my car broke so I got my brother-in-law to fix it. A few months later the other window breaks along with wheel bearings, then my muffler goes loose and then half of my dashboard lights stop working. So now I'm thinking 'when am I going to get this fixed...how long can it wait...how much is this gonna cost?' And that's just dealing with everything in regarding my car, I haven't even gotten to anything else yet! Next my thoughts jump to my finances and why they are not where I want them to be and all the small debts I still have to pay; then I get hit with a collection bill I already went to court for two years ago; but it got sold to another debt collection agency...blah...blah...blah...round and round we go.
With all these things happening in my life, it was next to impossible for me to think positively. Where the heck was the positive??? I saw no silver lining and whenever I tried to think positive for a moment another nagging, annoying gnat of a doubt kept coming right back.
What the book made me realize, is that my life was reflecting my mind. Avoiding pessimistic thoughts should be a vital as breathing. You have to train yourself in doing it without having to focus on it. God's word to me was the calm in the middle of the storm. If your not religious, or have other beliefs, then focus on whatever you need to, just keep your thoughts overcoming obstacles rather than the obstacle itself. Practice by paying attention to what your thinking. The moment you start to nag, change that "channel."
At first the process is exhausting because your literally fighting with your natural way of thinking. I remember one day I made a mental note to keep my mind positive all day no matter what was happening or what challenges I faced that Saturday I was going to maintain an optimistic attitude. That night I went to bed early just to end the day a bit faster than usual. I was completely exhausted and had a headache for all the effort it cost me to complete my self-imposed goal. I felt like I just ran a marathon; even though I finished I was totally drained from my exertion. But I was proud that I finished.
If your life is spiraling out of control...check your thoughts. As a matter of fact, what are you thinking now??? I really recommend Battlefield of the Mind as a tool to help you get your thoughts together. It's well written, easy to follow and really teaches us about the word and how we as Christians really need to strengthen our mind and spirit.
We all need that mental "kick" every once and a while, to really get us out of our funk. But she also really feeds your spirit which is necessary to get you up, out and living with purpose!






