Do your words to others come across confident and kind? Do your thoughts relay the same message? How often do you feel insecure while trying to put on a bold façade? Or you tell your church family how 
blessed you are all the while you wish for more?
It’s common to put on a fake smile and not want others to know the issues that go on behind closed doors. However, the more you live with negative thoughts, the more discouraged you become. You can’t be happy if you think about what if’s, why not me’s, and how come’s. In order to feel God’s total joy, what you say needs to reflect what you think.
Isaiah 26:3 reads, You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. The more you focus on Jesus, the harder it will be for those negative thoughts to creep in. I’m notorious for these thoughts, especially in traffic. I want everyone to get out of my way. I’m almost sure most don’t need to be on the road at the same time I do. Why don’t they just leave earlier? I know it’s silly, but that’s how I think.
It’s at these times I turn on my favorite radio station Air1, jack the tunes up, and get into the Christian music. Music might not work for everyone. I’ve just always enjoyed music. You just need to find what works for you. Maybe it’s reading the Bible or prayer.
These negative thoughts actually have a name. They are called Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs). These thoughts continually fill our minds with worry and self-doubt. And like live ants, they seem to come out of nowhere. There might only be one or two one day, but the next there are several. If you don’t get rid of your ANTs, you will never have joy in your life.
One way to rid yourself of these ANTs is with reflection. Ask yourself why you feel this way? Most of the time it’s from past experience. Another thing you need to do is replace them with positive thoughts. Find a good Bible verse and memorize it. When a negative thought drifts in, say your verse out loud.
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We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses. ― Abraham Lincoln
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Only when we look on the bright side of situations and reflect on the positive, will we become happier. And the more we focus on Jesus, the tighter we can close that trap door on our negative thoughts. Only then can our words truly reflect our thoughts.
If you or someone you know are in need of prayer this week, please let us know. We’d be more than happy to pray for you.
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