It's hard to believe that this is the seventh week of the study. It's a great book with so much to think about and digest. This week was especially interesting and gave me lots to reflect upon.The author said something that has struck me,"Emotions are a gift from God, but they were meant to enhance life, not rule it." She hit a chord with me. I have always been an emotional person and I realize that there were times that I let my emotions get away with me. I found the following so helpful.
Sometimes my emotions try to get the best of me. Thoughts that are negative and hurt me start filtering in. Anabel Gillham gives this thoughtful list for Managing Your Thoughts. It's the Five Rs: "Recognize the thought as sin, Refuse to accept the thought as yours and don't dwell on it. You know where it's coming from. Reckon yourself dead to the power of sin (Romans 6:7) Rest in knowing that you are in Christ and He is in you. Remind yourself of who you are in Christ and He is in you. Remind yourself of who you are in Christ, dust yourself off, confess that you listened to the Deceiver and actually believed his lies."
The author asks us: "Identify a negative thought that the enemy often uses against you."
I would have to say that since a little girl I have had a tape playing in my head that says, "You just aren't good enough." Although I realize that this is a lie from the Deceiver, I still struggle with this thought that floats into my mind whenever I am asked to take on a special project, give a presentation, anything that needs some extra self-confidence. I don't want to give the impression that I believe I should have all my confidence in myself. My confidence is in the Lord. I think though that a Christian should know that having the abilities to accomplish specific endeavors comes through the Lord. I believe this could be what the Lord is showing me I need to do, take the focus off Trish and put it solely in the Lord.
10 comments:
,"Emotions are a gift from God, but they were meant to enhance life, not rule it." I would have to agree! What we focus on, we make room for, so, if we focus on ourselves, our emotions, our lives, fears etc., all we see is us. If we focus on God, then it's about him. He increases and we decrease. Nice post. Sounds like this study is really blessing you.
I think this was the best chapter in the book so far!! We all need to understand how the deciever works in our lives and recognize his lies for what they are!!
Yes, he could be talking to me too.
I'd like to echo what Strider says. When the focus is on God, everything else falls into place.
Hi Nana Trish,
I truly believe if we can stay focused on God and the positive things, all will fall in place. When we focus on negative or what's wrong, we allow more of that into our lives.
Beautiful, spirit filled post my friend.
I LOVE my emotions! God has blessed papa with an abundance of emotions! I am so thankful for that!
I used to think that some emotions were sinful and some were not...like anger. What a relief to me to understand that God is the Creator of all of our emotions. It is what we do with His gift that is important.
I am of Irish/Italian/French decent...let's just say Emotions "R" Me :] I agree the ability to emote is a gift from God. But one thing I have learned the hard way, that my emotions are NOT always the truth. This sounds like an excellent book. I am glad you are getting so much out of it and sharing your insights with all of us.
This sounds good Trish. I trust you are feeling alittle better this week although we know that it's not the feelings that matter but what we do with them.
Hi Trish!
I really like the 5 R's concept. I've never thought of it that way but it makes perfect sense! We all have those little defeatist things that come back to our thoughts now and then and now I know what to do with them!! Thanks Trish, Great post!!
Hugs, Sherry
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