When those kinds of voices come into my head, I know it is time to change channels. It's time to turn on "It's going to be a bright, bright sunshiny day" or "I love myself so much that I can love you so much", "Take this job and love it", or "I'm healthy, wealthy, and wise". We need to guard our minds. Joel Osteen says, "You may have to weed through a thousand negative thoughts until you hear another positive sound. The Voice of Victory channel saying, 'You can do all things through Christ. Your best days are ahead. This situation is about to turn around.' Latch onto the good."
The more we train our minds, the easier it is to switch channels when we start to get negative. Let the negative thoughts roll off like water on a duck's back. My cousin Sandy and I love the verse in Philippians 4:8 that says, "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure---if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things." Sandy's late husband Don loved that verse, and she loves it too. It is one of my favorites as well because when you program your mind this way, there is no room for negative, condemning thoughts to enter.
WE want to live a blessed life full of happiness and joy. The best way to do this is through gratitude. For instance, lately I have been sick, but I am truly grateful that it is only temporary....some kind of little virus that has almost run its course. I truly know that God has given me a great immune system, and that my body is well able to fight it off. Every day I feel a little better, and I am grateful. I have a husband who takes good care of me, a flexible job that allows me to take time off, and a very supportive bunch of friends who encourage me all the time. When I think of all the things I have for which to be grateful, there is just no room for troubling thoughts.
I read an analogy about keeping the negativity out of our minds the same way we keep thieves out of our house. We lock the doors. We keep our valuable positive thoughts inside and lock the door on any negativity. This positivity will cure us of what ails us too. I'm already starting to feel better just thinking about it.
No longer will I dwell on toxicity. Instead I will think powerful healing thoughts releasing any bitterness, unforgiveness, or disappointment that drags down my immune system. I rise above those thoughts and lock them out. There are lots of things on a daily basis that come against us: offenses, rude remarks, hurtful words. What shall we do with them? Shake them off. It's not easy, but God the Good is on our side so we just feed our mind God thoughts....thoughts of faith, hope, and encouragement.
I read the story of Henry Winkler, the Fonz, who had severe dyslexia (not diagnosed until he was in his thirties). His father was an international businessman and his parents were very hard on him. They called him "dumm hund" which is German for "dumb dog". Academically he struggled, but in speech and drama he stood out. He dealt with his hurt by making jokes about himself. Of course, we know how that he became a very famous TV star, playing a tough high school drop out on "Happy Days". He shut out the voices of his parents and listened to his own talented voice, and we all know how that turned out.
When it comes to the voices inside our heads, we have to think, "Who put these here?" Was it me? Was it parents? Was it God? Once we determine the source, we think about whether the voices are positive or negative. Let in the good, lock out the bad. Look out, World. My voices are predicting great things!
Love and Light,
(The illustration below is Jessica Parkos' original art.)
Patty
