I believe the person we listen to most is our own self. It really doesn’t matter what people tell us if we don’t believe it. Someone may tell us we are pretty or awesome but if we don’t feel pretty or awesome, that compliment goes out the window in a flash.

How we speak to ourself is crucial. Are you telling yourself you rock – or are you constantly reminding yourself of how much a failure you are? You better be careful, because your body listens to your mind. As soon as you think “I can’t”, your body will go “OK, I’ll stop”.

Unfortunately, negative thoughts happen on their own. You don’t have to conjure them up or work hard for think of something negative to think about. Negativity is in our nature. On the contrary, we have to purposefully think of positive things to fill our head with.

There’s no one that knows us better than God and that’s why He tells us to purposely work on our thought life.  “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” Phillipians 4:8

One reason this is extremely hard is because we are around negativity all day long. Negativity in the news, negativity in the workplace and even negativity in the home. But, if we want to make a serious change, it HAS to start in the mind first. Whether we are wanting to change our body, our marriage or our life, it starts in our head.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2

There is a really good reason God wants us to read the Bible. It’s not because he wants us to learn a bunch of rules or read about old stories, it’s because it changes our mindset. It is packed with so many things we need to hear – hope, truth, love, grace, peace, forgiveness. It’s the polar opposite of the world which seems hopeless, full of lies, unloving, judgmental, violent, unforgiving.

Homework:

1. What do you tell yourself on a regular basis? Write down 5 things you tell yourself that you will not allow anymore.

2. What are 5 things you need to START telling yourself? These should be positive adjectives to describe who you are and who you want to be.

3. List 5 truths or claims you need to start clinging to. This can be goal oriented or it can be simple truths/facts or scripture.

10 promises to cling to when you face doubt, fear or failure.

WHEN YOU CAN’T DO IT ALONE – “I am the Lord of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27

WHEN YOU NEED HELP  – “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

WHEN YOU ARE AFRAID – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

WHEN YOU FEEL ATTACKED  – “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31.

WHEN EVERYTHING SEEMS LIKE IT’S GOING WRONG – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

WHEN YOU NEED A MIRACLE – “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19

WHEN YOU NEED A HAND – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

WHEN YOU NEED TO RETREAT – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalms 46:1

WHEN YOU FEEL WEAK – “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE A FAILURE BASED ON YOUR PAST – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

I encourage you to really think long and hard on what you allow in your head. You can’t do a thing about your body, marriage, job, relationships or your relationship with God without first getting a grip on your head.