I remember taking this thought-life challenge for the first time. My list stared me down with glaring insult. And I broke. To be face-to-face with ponderings that ultimately tore down the man I was called to love and bless and forgive, humbled me low.
Tucked quiet behind the movement of everyday, I rehearsed toxic thoughts. Underneath the ticking clock and the people interactions, they lingered. Affecting me. Infecting me. Infecting us.
How gracious our God is — patient and pursuing yet faithful to purge us of our sin disease.
The thoughts that bound me were the true yet oppressive thoughts. I would fixate upon my man’s weaknesses and sins — while missing the plank in my own eye — or inwardly replay my personal hurts until all joy was stripped away. Joy stolen as my mind settled on this physical world.
Yet he has so much more for his children.
If we inwardly repeat a thought that tears ourselves or someone else down, then it isn’t honoring. If it shifts the blame or insists upon revenge, then it isn’t noble. If it accuses or hates or leaves a bitter taste, then it isn’t love. If it claims defeat, then it isn’t praiseworthy. If it demands my “rights,” then it isn’t Christ.
Who, when he was reviled, did not revile in return;
when he suffered, he did not threaten,
but committed himself to him who judges righteously…
1 Peter 2:23
These types of thought patterns will cheat us of all he died to give — a peace and a hope and a future. In him we have choice as to what captivates our minds. Praise him.
Fill me, Lord…
Often we feel justified in rehearsing the true betrayals upon us or the true weaknesses in others. But we are the ones who will suffer the anguish. How have you seen this type of “deadly thinking” steal your own peace of mind?
Tomorrow we will begin exploring “how” we engage the battle against deadly thinking.
Oh yes. Deadly thinking is such a poisonous thing. It took me a long time to realize this was a big problem of mine. A lot of it had to do with my childhood. I had to learn to re-parent myself and shift my way of thinking. My sweet husband helped me so much on this very thing!! I still have to be very aware of how I’m thinking about things. I’m so thankful God doesn’t leave me in these kinds of messes! 😉
He is so gracious. And yes, it is a continual battle. Walking with you, friend.
We went through a period in our marriage when my unhappiness was center stage. And my thought-life was so negative toward my husband! I blamed everything on him. Then I realized that it was ME that needed to change. Now I focus on the positives in my husband (of which there are tons!). Great post!!
“My unhappiness was center stage.” That’s good. (well, not good but I totally get it.)Thanks for sharing.
Christine I can totally relate and have learned to do the same thing, focus on the positive aspects of my husband. I think we need to do this with everyone in our lives and those who for only a minute cross our paths. As humans we are so pron to judge others by an action or the way they present them selves. I have to sit back at times and realize I do not know this person or what they are going through, maybe they just need some prayer.
Peace, <
Yes, only recently I received a new measure of God’s grace and I can no longer sit in judgement of someone else. I totally get what you are saying. Receiving this grace has set me free from the bondage of trying, striving, and judging others for their trying and striving.