@bethvogt
I mulled over this blog post for quite a while. Started one topic. Erased it. I wanted to think of something funny. Something light. Put a spin on things so my words were encouraging from the get-go.
But it was a bit of a fractured start to the week, one where I fought to find a good rhythm to my days. My thoughts bobbed up and down between hope and doubt as I clung to the life preserver of my faith.
Some days are like that, right?
I let discouragement dunk me one too many times until I sent up a “prayer flare,” as I like to call it, and texted a close friend, admitting how my negative thoughts were pulling me under.
She was struggling too. Her response to my text: I’m calling you.
It wasn’t so much about “misery loving company” as it was two friends being honest with each other and then dragging each other back to solid ground, inch by inch.
She spoke truth. I spoke truth. And the Truth pushed away the lies that were swamping us. We leaned into our faith and focused on scriptures like:
- Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)
- … the joy of the LORD is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10 NIV)
- Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds … (James 1:2 NIV)
- Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin … (Zechariah 4:10 NLT)
Here’s what I’m learning once again: so much of how we feel is determined by our thoughts. But all too often we don’t monitor our thoughts closely enough. Instead, we just push auto-play on what we’re thinking. I need to post the quote, “Don’t believe everything you think!” in every room in my house. What about you?
The truth I remembered after talking with my friend? God does not speak discouragement over us.
The repeated thought of, “You should just quit” that got a stranglehold on me at the beginning of the week? It wasn’t God-given. God is a God of encouragement. Of hope. He doesn’t beat us down.
We all have tough days. The important thing to know is who we can shoot a prayer flare to when the day becomes too hard.
Who will speak Truth to you so you can hear it over the lies that drag you into deep waters? Who do you speak Truth to when you see their flare go up?
'Don't believe everything you think.' quote by Robert Fulghum #thoughts #encouragement Click To Tweet
Comments 12
Your title alone is wonderful and captures what we need to take with us. Well-done and God bless your day!
Author
Dee: It’s a quote worth posting somewhere, isn’t it? “Don’t believe everything you think.” And a lesson we learn again and again. Thoughts are tricksy.
I’m so thankful you were brave enough to send up that prayer flare. Too many suffer in silence thinking they don’t want to be a bother to anyone. I’m grateful you and your friend could speak truth over one another because our heads are filled with lies. God offers us freedom from those lies that hold us hostage. Thank you for sharing your heart. <3
Author
Thank you for always being such an encourager, LJ. And yes, lies do hold us hostage … and the Truth sets us free. Always.
My go-to verses when I’m under attack are from 2nd Corinthians 10: 5: “…take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
and from Philippians 4: 8-9
“Finally, brothers, 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.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Author
Beautiful truths, Pat, that guide us back to the firm ground. Thanks for sharing, my friend.
Gah! I so relate to this! The hardest work of the past few years has been learning to recognize the neuro-freeways in my head that fast track fear and discouragement.
So many takeaways from your words… “God does not speak discouragement over us” has me thinking about was He DOES speak over us. Those are the correct thoughts for building better pathways. And a big YES to prayer flares and trusted friends!
Author
Bernadette: Yes! Immersing ourselves in the Truth helps us better recognize the false … and avoid it.
I’m so guilty of believing everything I think, at times.
Author
We all are, Denise. It’s our mental go-to. I’m trying to be much more aware of how I put my thoughts on auto-play.
Thank you for inviting me to send a prayer flare, Beth. 🙂
Author
Prayer flares always welcome, my friend.