Monday, October 3, 2011

"Mind Games"

When I think of the "mind game" that has wreaked the most havoc on  my own life, I think of worry. Worry can lead to all sorts of health problems such as migraines, back pain and gastro-intestinal issues. On top of that, it can affect our relationships. For example, I would get pretty angry with my husband when he would get home late from work. I worried that he was in an accident. And when I blew things out of proportion, we ended up in a not-so-healthy disagreement. Worry can become irrational. We can imagine catastrophes that will rarely, if ever, occur.

There's good reasons why Jesus said, "Do not worry about your life" (Matthew 6:25). Worry hurts us. If we worry about all the details of life (money, success, our body image, etc.), we will be concentrating on things He never said to focus on in the first place. Instead, we are to "seek first His righteousness, and all these things will be given unto (us)." (Matthew 6:33).

I've been trying to focus on the "right things," not those things that hurt, discourage or worry me. Below is a brief Bible Study that may help you in your particular mind game whether it be worry or some other unhealthy thinking pattern.

To Win the Battle for Your Mind
  1. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind--Romans 12:2. In other words, change your thought patterns by filling your mind with God's Word (Read Colossians 3:15-16).
  2. Prepare your mind for action--I Peter 1:13. In other words, rather than imagining untrue things that do not occur (worry or fantasy), actively direct your thoughts externally to reality (Read Philippians 4:8).
  3. Take every thought captive, making it obedient to Christ--2 Corinthians 10:5. In other words, choose the truth over and over until it becomes your normal pattern of thinking (Read Ephesians 4:22-24).
  4. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything...pray!--Philippians 4:6. In other words, take everything to God. Worry and fear accomplish nothing (Read 1 Peter 5:7).
  5. Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy...think on these things--Philippians 4:8,9. In other words, assume your responsibility to choose the truth (Read Colossians 3:1-2).
  6. Set your minds on what the Spirit desires--Romans 8:5-6. In other words, recognize your God talking to you and obey Him (Read Hebrews 4:12-13 & Galations 5:25).
Shannon Shertzer, MS, NCC

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