The Real You Archives : Living Success

How to Conquer Negative Thinking

9 Comments / Success Traits, The Real You, Thinking Success

“I Am The Sum Total Of My Thoughts.” This is a sign I had posted on my fridge door years ago. Beneath that quote I noted the following scripture:

“For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].” Phil 4:8 AMP

To this day, I still remember those words even though I no longer have that sign posted anywhere in my house. It keeps me from thinking negatively and reminds me to focus on what God thinks of me rather what I or others would.

I realize that thoughts are very real and that thoughts have power. They are just as present as our words or actions. What you think has the power to become what you experience in life. What you think can become a self-fulfilling prophecy if you allow that thought to become a prevailing thought-habit that results in the life you live. Your thoughts have the power to rule your life. Therefore, be careful what you think!

The danger comes when you have negative prevailing thoughts. Your negative persistent thoughts are:

A reflection of low value you have about yourself, your present circumstances and your future. How often many think they are undeserving of God’s goodness like the Roman solider thought at first? “Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.” (Luke 7:7)
Sinful thoughts within your heart which you will degrade, corrupt or pollute your life. Such thoughts produce fear anxiety, doubt, unbelief, worry, depression, skepticism, and all things ugly. “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” (Matthew 15:11, 15-20). The truth is sin begins in the mind.
Deceitful in that you say one thing with your lips but think another. This speaks to the integrity or lack of integrity of the person. “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.” (Proverbs 23:7)

In the Christian walk, you battle daily the thoughts you think about yourself more than in another area. The more frequently your thoughts towards yourself are negative, the lower your confidence level goes and you think that no one including God loves you. If this persistent, the possibility of achieving your goals or reaching your destiny becomes close to impossible. It’s like Henry Ford said, “If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you are right.”

But negative persistent thoughts don’t have to be the constant in your life. You can overcome.

Your thoughts come from what you put into yourself – from your environment, from your immediate circle of friends and family. Hence, it is important to renew your mind with the word of God.

You can feed yourself good thoughts by studying with the word of God. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2) The power of God’s word is enough to change your thinking about yourself. Let the word of God become more necessary than food. Feed yourself on it; “eat” the Word. In other words, meditate on it and your faith will grow and the power of His word will change your thought and change your life. Since your thoughts have the power to drive the course of your life. Therefore change your thoughts change your life.
Refocus your mind as soon as your realize that your thoughts are taking a downward spiral. Recently I had a boot of bad thinking. I wasn’t happy about the progress I was making on a particular project. As I continued I starting thinking that my efforts were futile and that I wasn’t reaching and positively impacting others as I should. Hmmm, does that sound familiar? Anyways thankfully I realize that this wasn’t the way to go and then I wrote this thought in my prayer journal; “Lord, help me to see this from your perspective?” The moment I did that I paused to hear what God would say. I realized that although my efforts seem small they were gradually adding up to have greater impact and in fact there were readers added to my blog in the past two months that in the past two years! I still have a way to go but I was making progress. If I didn’t change my thinking pattern the rest of my day would have been totally miserable. Thank God I did.
Use technology or a creative way to keep your mind thinking right. You can get a smartphone app to text you inspiring quotes or scripture verses or you can listen to or read the Bible. I use the memo application to keep my goals and prayer list readily available as well as to write quotes or thoughts of inspiration that I receive during the day. You can use index cards – write Bible verses or affirming words on them and at least twice a day read them. This will build your confidence, eliminate your fears and strengthen your faith in God. This way you fill your thoughts with faith and you’ll find yourself able to make bold steps towards your goals.

As you continue towards your goals, there may be times when the negative thought attack comes. Conquer it! Turn your thoughts toward God. If you have faith thoughts, nothing shall be impossible to you. (Matthew 17:20) So have faith in God because according to your faith-filled words or prayers you will have what you say (Matthew 9:20).

One other Word I want to leave with you is this, if God be for you who can be against you. (Romans 8:31). There is nothing stopping you when God is on your side. Isaiah 41:10 is a word that I summarize it like this: “God is with me. God is strengthening me. God is helping me. God is giving me victory.” Yes, God is with you and is helping you. This is not only a verse of comfort but it will help you boost your confidence levels and help you realize that with God helping you. You are destined to win. Meditate on this Word and accept it as truth. With this Word you change your thought and God’s power release in you through this word will cause you to do great things!

It’s your turn, what do you do to conquer negative thinking?

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Book Reveal & Giveaway: Christians with Pervasive Issues

Christian Success Reading, The Real You

Even as a faithful Christian, there may be times when you feel that there is no hope of escaping issues and themes in your life that ensnare and trip you up time and time again. When a certain pattern of behavior or type of suffering has been following you all your life, it’s hard to believe that you can ever escape from it. Christians with Pervasive Issues shows us that every child of God can be delivered from issues that cause them to be a victim, rather than walking in victory. In compassionate, no-nonsense language, Annie Brown demonstrates that with genuine repentance, using God’s principles, and the right counseling/support, you can overcome anything. Christians with Pervasive Issues gives you the ray of hope you need in order to heal your life, and get closer to God.

Annie Brown is hosting a giveaway. Enter to win a copy of her book. Two winners will be chosen. Sponsored by author Annie Brown. Contest ends October 7, 2013

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Remedy to Get to the Root of the Problem

WHAT IS NEEDED is that the people of God “must” clean out their secret compartments and confess that they need the Lord to deliver them. Confession is made unto salvation (deliverance). If we confess our faults, the Lord is faithful in forgiving us. You may ask, “Why do I have to confess if I was not responsible for what happened to me?”

The issue then becomes whether you have forgiven the person that caused me this harm. If there is no forgiveness, then you become a victim twice: a victim of circumstance, and a victim of bondage. This can be in some ways more dangerous than cancer. This will always be eating away at you. With cancer, at least you know what is going on in your body. Being a victim of circumstance and having an unforgiving heart bring torment. This torment becomes a part of you in such a way that it eats through your mind, destroys your inner peace, and puts your soul in jeopardy because it becomes a heart matter of sin.

Annie Brown is the mother of four adult children, five grandchildren, and one great grandchild. She is a licensed minister and social worker. As a social worker, Annie works the terminally ill, providing emotional support at the most critical time in an individual’s life. It is Annie’s desire that Christians work through their pervasive issues before the end of life, so that the transition between death and eternity can be smooth, and not cluttered with unresolved conflicts.

You can get a copy of Christian with Pervasive Issues at:

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Christians-with-Pervasive-Issues-ebook/dp/B005IAAPMK/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1

Outskirts Press: http://outskirtspress.com/webpage.php?ISBN=9781432775766

Connect with Annie:

Email Address: aclara2002@yahoo.com
Publisher Website www.outskirtspress.com/christianswithpervasiveissues

Author Website: www.anniecbrown.com
Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christians-with-Pervasive-Issues/333501483361141

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You’re Special!

The Real You

Being a Christian is a great blessing. During a recent prayer meeting the Lord drew my attention to 1 Peter 2:9-10 and I began to pray this scripture. As I took a deeper look into this word, I realized how much God has blessed us, even honored us, because we have accepted Christ. Consider how much God has elevated you:

You have been chosen

Isn’t this comforting to know that you have been chosen? You have been picked out. God has chosen you not because you deserve it but because He loves you. Jesus has also chosen you for a purpose – to make you successful (John 15:16).

You are royalty

You are a king. You are seated with Christ in heavenly places. When the enemy looks at you – he knows that you are royal son or daughter of God. If you fully understand your right as a child of God, you will know and live like a king. You will speak with authority. You will not accept excuses or give excuses. You will see life from the position of victory and success. You will expect nothing but the best!

You are a priest

Wow! You are a minister to God – to worship, to prayer, to offer spiritual sacrifices to Him. God expects you to worship Him. He expects you to spend time with Him so you can get to know Him better and understanding His plan for you. This takes time and effort; it’s a sacrifice especially when you don’t always feel like praying or worshiping.

You are holy

Being holy is to hate and shun evil and do what is right according to God’s righteous standards. As priests we are expected to be holy. That’s God’s requirement for his priesthood (1 Peter 1:13-14). He wants us to be like Him in every way.

You are God’s own precious possession

You are special, especially to God. God’s loves you more than anyone else on the earth loves you. Jesus gave His life up for you out of love before you even thought of Him. He is willing to do anything for His precious ones – protect, heal, deliver, bless. Anything for your good, He has done and He will do.

You proclaim His praises

You are the light in this dark world. Colossians 1:13-14 reminds us that we have been delivered from the dominion of darkness and have been brought into the Kingdom of God’s Son. We have been freed up to praise Him and to display His light and love to others.

You have an identity

You have received His mercy and you belong to the Most High God. You uniqueness is found in Him who shows you His love and mercy. Now you can walk in your royal priestly anointing everyday.

We ought to be forever thankful to God for whom we have become through Christ.

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Who Are You?

The Real You

If someone asked you that question, what would you say? Maybe you would tell them your name or you may say that you are a child of God. Those responses would be quite right but have you really thought about who you are?

God’s word constantly reminds us of who we are in the eyes of God our Father. We are so much more than meets the natural eyes. We are more than just the physical body we see in the mirror or that others see as we go about our daily lives. We are living spiritual beings (Genesis 2:7).

God made us very special. Of all His creation, we (human beings) are the only ones who have been made to be like Him – in His image and likeness – (Genesis 1:26-27). Also, we are the only ones who have been given authority over all of the rest of creation (Genesis 1:26-28).

But what is being made in His image and likeness suppose to be? As a child growing up, someone may have told you that you look like your dad or your mum. Even if you hold no physical resemblance to your parents, you may act or speak like them in someway and sure enough you may hear someone say, “She’s acting just like her mum.” Some children don’t like to be told that they are like their parents. While as parents, we are often happy to know that our children either have our physically resemblance or do something like we do.

But since God is Spirit how do we look like Him? Well, we too are spirit. The image of God we carry is in how we represent Him. It’s not a physical representation but a spiritual one. It’s in our character. Do we act like God? Do we love like God? Are we creative and productive like He is? Do we exercise patience like He does? Are we merciful or forgiving like Him?

There is so much to God’s image that we need to be like. As His children, we are His representatives to those who know Him and to those who do not Him know. Not ‘looking’ like our Father doesn’t speak well of Him and does not please Him. Being like our Heavenly Father makes Him proud and causes Him to smile at us.

As you ponder over this question, make it your aim to be like your Father. Be a good child of God. Make your Father smile.

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Be an Agent of Positive Change

The Real You, Thinking Success

In the previous post, Change Comes, Embrace It, I spoke of how we often don’t like change and one way we can handle changes when they come. Today, I am talking about change but from the perspective of you being the change agent.

We hear stories of good and great things that people do and we think ourselves, “That’s great but I couldn’t do that.” Who told you so? The response we’d typically here is, “No one, I just know that’s not me”. The truth is we often believe the lies of the enemy that makes us stay where we are wishing things could change but never thinking we can be the ones to make the change.

Everyday we see people and groups who boldly proclaim their rights that bring about change – and often it is negative. Why are Christians not as bold to proclaim Christ and bring about positive change instead? It goes back to our negative self-talk or how we view of ourselves. We claim to have “valid” reasons for not stepping out to make a change or difference in the community around us. Sometimes we are more concerned about what others will say about us more than what God thinks of us.

But we need to rearrange our thinking or thought habits. We need to align our thoughts to what God says about us. Moses thought he could not speak well and represent Israel before pharaoh but God saw him as a leader and deliverer (Exodus 4). Gideon saw himself at the least in his family but God saw him as a might man of valor (Judges 6). David was also considered the least amongst his siblings but God saw him as a king and a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 16). God took the least among men and used them to bring about positive change in the lives of many.

So what about you? How do you see yourself? Please, erase from your mind the negative thoughts you have of yourself. Begin to look at yourself through the eyes of God your heavenly Father. Search the scriptures and remind yourself that:

You are a child of the Most High God
You have been made righteous through Christ
You are an overcomer
You can do great things because you know God
You have been chosen to be fruitful

Right where you are you can bring change – in your home, your community, your church and beyond. The key to starting positive change is in you knowing confidently that you can with Christ being your help and strength. It starts by being Christ-confident and not self-confident. It continues with thinking and speaking positive change to actively making positive change. You know where you are at. You see the challenges in your world – the children who need food and love, the teens who are longing for belonging, the young families needing guidance to stay together and be strong. The problems you see around you that burden you are often the ones that God wants you to solve. He wants you to be an agent of change right where you are.

Don’t doubt what you can do but believe you can with Christ helping you all the way. Trust in Him who can do work through you to bring change.

What change can you start making today?

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LIVE OUT LOUD, You’re A Success In God

The Real You

First of all, Welcome!

What am I writing about? The internet is filled with many sources of information on various topics including Christianity and success. Although, I love reading and writing – I don’t want to give you information overload. Yes, I am sure that I will be informative in my delivery but my purpose here is to be an encourager. My purpose is to give you a word and remind you of the successes you live each day simply because you are a Christian.

Live Out Loud … Success in God’s Word is about daily living in Christ that speaks to those around you – family, friends, co-workers, and the stranger. Often times we may not see those successes but if you ask a friend you’d be surprised at how great your life looks to them as they quietly watch you live out loud day to day in God. It’s about living a life that pleases God and expresses His love. It’s about being successful where you are.

Successful how (you may ask)? Well, you’ll tell me. Your success and how it looks to you is totally different from how it looks to me. Your success – the dream or the vision God has given to you – it totally different to the one I have. But success, none-the-less, is what we expect and live out daily when we rely and apply God’s word.

So this blog will encourage you to live out loud for God and be your best. As you read and participate, it’s my hope that it will be interactive and life changing.

As you read on, be encouraged. Know that success comes from living out loud by the word of God. So let’s LIVE OUT LOUD FOR GOD!

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