Train Your Mind (Part 5)

Train Your Mind (Part 5)

Luke 11:17 “But He, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.”

Replacing your negativity with positivity isn’t just about turning off all your negative thoughts and stories. To be honest, that’s nearly impossible because negative thinking typically arises spontaneously and uncontrollably.  It’s also not about turning your false negative thoughts and stories into false positive ones.  The goal is to reframe your negative thoughts and stories consistently, so they are based entirely in reality, detached from needless drama, and focused on the next positive step forward that can be taken in the present moment.

One smart place to start is evaluating and eliminating the negative meanings you assign to situations that don’t meet your expectations.  Fabricating negative meanings and conclusions like these, based on your own personal expectations, is a great way to keep your mind stuck in the gutter.  This isn’t to say that you should never expect anything at all from yourself and others, but rather that the thought patterns governing your expectations should not automatically steer you toward unreasonable negativity. Just because one thing went wrong before doesn't mean that all the rest will.

Remember, negative thinking stops us from seeing and experiencing life’s positive outcomes, even when they happen often.  It’s as if there’s a special mental block filtering out everything except the data that confirms the negative biases we have.  So, do your best to catch yourself today. Being able to distinguish between the negativity you imagine and what is actually happening in your life right now is an important step towards living a happier life.

You will never get another chance at today, so it's up to you to make the best of it. What you do with your life really does matter to God and every person around you. If your mind controls you the results can be disastrous, but if you control your mind harmony and peace can overcome the evil thoughts the enemy puts in it. Don't let your "house" be divided!