Hebrews 10:22 Let us continue to come near with sincere hearts in the full assurance that faith provides\, because ou r hearts have been sprinkled clean from a guilty conscience\, and our bodi es have been washed with pure water.
\nThere are times when I'm havi
ng a great day. Minding my own business\, getting things done\, and happy
about it. But suddenly something will trigger a memory which has anger\, r
esentment\, fear or bitterness tagging along for the ride. . Unless I take
hold of this quickly by recognizing where it came from and why\, I will f
all down a slippery slope of melancholy. My triggers may not always be a m
emory. It could be I was confronted with a hurtful remark or painful situa
tion. My pride might have been hurt and I'm suffering humiliation. Sadness
and melancholy ruin my day. I am the image of Isaiah 3:24 And it will com
e about that instead of fragrance there will be a stench.
\nI'm learn
ing that if I take the following steps to get God involved\, He is always
faithful to show me a way back up that slippery slope.
See it for what it is
\nConfess sin and self and repent - turn away from follow
ing them
\nGive them over to God - anything that is \"not of faith.\"
\nReplace lies with truth by reading and applying God's Word
Note: Unless we have Jesus in our hearts and have been born again by His Spirit (see John 3) these steps will not work. This is a process of restor ation which taps into the power or life source of the Holy Spirit within t hat produces something different than our fleshly hearts think\, feel and desire. With Jesus dwelling in our heart we have God's authority and God's power to override negative thoughts and feelings. In His time and His way \, God will update my feelings with His will.
\nSo now that we have taken this thought or situation captive we must analyze it and see it for what it is. Whatever you do\, don't sweep it under the rug\, don't push it back down into that hidden chamber of your heart. Take a good look at it\ , give it an name. Ask God to shed light on any root causes for the reacti on and then allow God to give He feedback. Ask Him to expose the reality o f these emotions.
\nCleanse Yourselves in Holiness
\n2 Corinth ians 7:1 Since we have these promises\, dear friends\, let's cleanse ourse lves from everything that contaminates body and spirit by becoming mature in our holy fear of God.
\nDraw Near with a Sincere Heart
\nHe brews 10:22 Let us continue to come near with sincere hearts in the full a ssurance that faith provides\, because our hearts have been sprinkled clea n from a guilty conscience\, and our bodies have been washed with pure wat er.
\nExperience Freedom
\nPsalm 103:12 As distant as the east is from the west\, that is how far He has removed our sins from us.
\nWhat are the choices for dealing with negative thoughts and emotions?\nExpress them to others by venting in a toxic manner.
\nPack it
away back in it's hidden chamber - only for it to come out again at anothe
r time.
\nGive them to God and be rid of them forever.
Consid ering my goal is to be rid of the melancholy and depression that these neg ative thoughts cause\, I choose number 3! I will recognize\, acknowledge a nd be cleansed of them so that I can move on as an open vessel prepared fo r God's use in a more excellent way.
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