The Mind Connection: How the Thoughts You Choose Affect Your Mood, Behavior, and Decisions by Joyce Meyer
Authors: Joyce Meyer
Tags: RELIGION / Christian Life / Inspirational, Religion / Christian Life / Spiritual Growth, Religion / Christian Life - Personal Growth
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but “in Christ,” we are amazing people who have been re-created in Christ Jesus. We are born anew that we may do the good works that He has prearranged and made ready for us, that we may live the good life Jesus died for us to have (see Ephesians 2:10). God wants us to see ourselves the way He does! He wants us to have a good life!
God views us as being right with Him through Jesus Christ.
God has provided a good life for us, but our minds and attitudes must be completely renewed if we want to actually see it in our daily lives. One of the most important verses of Scripture for us to understand regarding our thoughts is Romans 12:2:
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you mayprove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
I was a Christian for at least twenty years before I ever even heard this Scripture or had any idea that my thoughts mattered at all. I certainly had no idea that I had a choice about what I thought and that my mind was indeed connected to my words, attitudes, and behavior. I think I can say that my relationship with God never moved beyond a kindergarten level until I understood the power of thoughts and words. Perhaps this is new to you too, and if it is, then you are embarking on a new beginning that will be truly amazing as you follow through. I know for me, the understanding of the mind connection was one of the biggest breakthroughs in my spiritual life.
Developing a good relationship with yourself will help you in many ways. You spend every moment of your life with “you,” so it stands to reason that if you don’t like you, then you will be unhappy. With God’s help, not only can you think better thoughts about yourself, but you can also take the time to do things for yourself that you enjoy. God wants us to help others and be available for a wide variety of good works that He has planned; however, if you never take the time to do anything for yourself, you will quickly become burned out from always giving and never receiving. You will begin to feel like people take advantage of you, but that wrong attitude can be avoided by simply taking time to do things that you enjoy, along with doing things for other people.
We often wait for other people to do things for us and it’s nice when they do, but even if they don’t, we can still do things for ourselves in order to maintain a balanced, healthy emotional life. When you feel worn out and taken advantage of, you can go toJesus for advice and you may hear Him say, “Take the day off and do something you enjoy.”
If you treat yourself better in your thoughts and your actions, I can assure you that you will begin to treat others better also. What goes on
in
us is what comes
out
of us, in words, attitudes, and behaviors. Instead of just being irritated because your life is out of balance, do something to change it. It is your life, and God expects you to manage it wisely!
Think About It!
• The way we talk to and think about ourselves affects us in every area of our lives.
• It is God’s will for you to love yourself in a healthy, balanced way.
• When you stop trying to make yourself pay for your mistakes, it is much easier to stop trying to make others pay for theirs.
• It will be much easier for you to be merciful with others once you are fully aware of how much mercy God offers to you.
• God loves you. He thinks you are wonderful, and He has filled your life with great possibilities.
• God doesn’t focus on your faults; why should you?
CHAPTER 9
Thoughtless Actions
To build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years. To destroy can be the thoughtless act of a single day.
Winston Churchill
We do many things
God views us as being right with Him through Jesus Christ.
God has provided a good life for us, but our minds and attitudes must be completely renewed if we want to actually see it in our daily lives. One of the most important verses of Scripture for us to understand regarding our thoughts is Romans 12:2:
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you mayprove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
I was a Christian for at least twenty years before I ever even heard this Scripture or had any idea that my thoughts mattered at all. I certainly had no idea that I had a choice about what I thought and that my mind was indeed connected to my words, attitudes, and behavior. I think I can say that my relationship with God never moved beyond a kindergarten level until I understood the power of thoughts and words. Perhaps this is new to you too, and if it is, then you are embarking on a new beginning that will be truly amazing as you follow through. I know for me, the understanding of the mind connection was one of the biggest breakthroughs in my spiritual life.
Developing a good relationship with yourself will help you in many ways. You spend every moment of your life with “you,” so it stands to reason that if you don’t like you, then you will be unhappy. With God’s help, not only can you think better thoughts about yourself, but you can also take the time to do things for yourself that you enjoy. God wants us to help others and be available for a wide variety of good works that He has planned; however, if you never take the time to do anything for yourself, you will quickly become burned out from always giving and never receiving. You will begin to feel like people take advantage of you, but that wrong attitude can be avoided by simply taking time to do things that you enjoy, along with doing things for other people.
We often wait for other people to do things for us and it’s nice when they do, but even if they don’t, we can still do things for ourselves in order to maintain a balanced, healthy emotional life. When you feel worn out and taken advantage of, you can go toJesus for advice and you may hear Him say, “Take the day off and do something you enjoy.”
If you treat yourself better in your thoughts and your actions, I can assure you that you will begin to treat others better also. What goes on
in
us is what comes
out
of us, in words, attitudes, and behaviors. Instead of just being irritated because your life is out of balance, do something to change it. It is your life, and God expects you to manage it wisely!
Think About It!
• The way we talk to and think about ourselves affects us in every area of our lives.
• It is God’s will for you to love yourself in a healthy, balanced way.
• When you stop trying to make yourself pay for your mistakes, it is much easier to stop trying to make others pay for theirs.
• It will be much easier for you to be merciful with others once you are fully aware of how much mercy God offers to you.
• God loves you. He thinks you are wonderful, and He has filled your life with great possibilities.
• God doesn’t focus on your faults; why should you?
CHAPTER 9
Thoughtless Actions
To build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years. To destroy can be the thoughtless act of a single day.
Winston Churchill
We do many things
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