Sunday, June 14, 2015

Sunday Thoughts

I had been feeling rather down. I hate to use the word depressed, but that's exactly what it was. I realized that I was going over my past and present resentments. Wallowing in them is more like it. Day after day, I was thinking of all the bad things that have happened to me - all the people that have done me wrong - on and on. So foolish!! Once you start down this road, it's really hard to get off it. I do believe satan loves when we focus on all the bad stuff and bad things that have happened and not all the blessings that God provides.

I was so deep in the pit of depression, I couldn't even focus or think of anything other than all these negative thoughts! It was horrible! Finally, I was talking to God about all this and this Scripture came to my mind. Now honestly, I know it had to be from God because although I had heard these words, I had no idea where this was in the Bible. I knew God was telling me that I had to be proactive about taking my thoughts in hand!

I quickly looked up where this Scripture is and promptly wrote it down. I can't tell you how much a difference this has made! The minute my mind starts to go towards the bad thoughts, I tell myself to take my thoughts captive. It works! I then pray or focus on the good things in my life. I think about the blessings and all the wonderful things God has blessed me with. The main thing is to stop the negative self-talk, take my thoughts captive, and stop them in their tracks!

I think that it's so easy to feel sorry for ourselves. We feel wounded, misunderstood, and alone. Our own sadness seems inescapable, but thankfully, God gives us the tools and wisdom to get out of the sadness and move toward the joy. He gives us so many examples of people in the Bible that are in horrible circumstances yet are joyful! Paul in prison, Job who lost so much and is in pain, and of course, Jesus. He was tortured, betrayed, and crucified yet His focus remained on God. The Lord knew we were going to have really hard times in this life, but He gave us what we need to not stay in that pit of despair.

So, I'm feeling so much better. The depression has lifted and I am feeling more in control because I am taking my thoughts captive and relying on God to make the bad things in my life, right. Those who have hurt me are not my concern, but God's. What freedom this this brings! I don't have to worry about it because God already knows what has happened and He will deal with it - I don't have to. Take those thoughts captive, my friends! It really does make a huge difference!!

Blessings - Julie

2 comments:

  1. Yes! You are so very right. I went through this just last month, after discovering that PT is working for me. I went through several doctors and procedures and so many injections, for WHAT?! No wonder none of it worked, it wasn't the right thing for me! I almost became bitter.

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