How Do Your Thoughts Affect Your Actions?

We often read and hear that the battlefield is in the mind. The thoughts that we receive in our mind work two ways. When we experience happy or good thoughts they bring us pleasure. For example if we think we are getting a promotion or salary increase before we physically receive it if we think that it is coming  we anticipate and expect it.

Contrariwise when we hear bad news it also affects our mind. If we are told it’s possible our services may no longer be needed, we may be in jeopardy of losing our job or income it has an adverse effect on us. We begin to worry. We are concerned about our financial obligations, our family, how long it will take before we are employed again. If we believe this will happen and choose to take the opportunity to start a business of our own we wonder if we will be successful or how long it will take for our business to become profitable.

Neither of these are facts only thoughts. But both statements come with expectations. What happens if the outcomes are not what we expect?

What happens if in the first example rather than the expectation of receiving a promotion or a salary increase you are told you may be in jeopardy of losing your job?  Suddenly what you expected has been turned upside down. Rather than planning how you would spend a possible salary increase you begin to worry about making ends meet as well as how long it will take before you are employed again.

What if rather than the expectation of a possible job loss you are told a new position may be coming available? Rather than trying to determine how long your savings will last and how quickly you must find employment you feel safe, comforted, no longer worried.

The change of a thought can change your mental and emotional state. Of course the thought of losing a job will adversely affect you but it’s a thought. Neither of the statements were facts.

Too often we allow thoughts rather than facts to alter our thinking. There is nothing wrong with thinking about how you would spend or save extra money if you were getting a promotion but you wouldn’t actually do it without having the money in the bank, or at least you shouldn’t.

If there are rumors that you may lose your job they are only rumors. Of course you should always be budget conscious and have an emergency fund when possible but you should not panic based on a thought.

We read in Matthew 6:31-33 therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? or, What shall we drink: or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek) for your heavenly Father Knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

If the only person that knows everything told you not to worry would you still worry? Well that is exactly what God is telling you. Don’t worry about rumors or things you cannot control. In other words meditate or think on things that you know are true and speak of those things as Asaph said in Psalm 77:12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.

 

 

 

 

Caution Low Battery

Driving home from church today we stopped at the drive thru window at our local pharmacy to pick up a prescription. Suddenly a warning flashed across the instrument panel of the car, the battery light came on, and the air conditioner turned off. The battery was low so the car automatically prevented the use of anything that would cause the battery to be drained, or anything that would cause undue stress on it. I thought to myself what a smart car.

 Oftentimes when our physical wellbeing or health is at risk our bodies will give us a warning. We may experience an elevation in our body temperature or have a fever if our body is trying to fight off an infection. Our blood pressure may increase if we are under stress, or overweight. We may become weak or shaky if our blood sugar is low.

It’s obvious when our financial wellbeing is impacted. The balance in our bank account decreases which often impacts our physical and emotional wellbeing.

What about your emotional wellbeing? What causes a drain on you emotionally? Do you have relationships that are draining? Are there people in your life that continuously draw from you without allowing you to replenish. Are you constantly giving and not receiving anything in return? There may be people in your life that only reach out to you when they need something. They may not request anything tangible, but giving the intangible, or giving yourself may be just as costly. You may hear from them once every blue moon, or they may call you weekly. When they call they talk and talk and talk. Sometimes they ask for advice and sometimes they tell you everything that has occurred in their lives since the last time you have spoken. When they end the conversation and it’s usually them that does because they do not allow you to get a word in you feel as though you need to rest.

What’s going on with you spiritually? Do you spend quality time in the presence of God or do you call Him when you need Him like the person in the previous paragraph that’s only looking for what they can get out of a relationship. We read in the Joshua 1:8 this book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success

What’s draining your battery?

What’s depleting you physically? Are you trying to squeeze 48 hours into 24? Take time to rest. Look at your schedule if you don’t have one make one.  What’s on your schedule that you can eliminate or reduce the amount of time allotted? Account for all of your time and always include time to rest.

How about your finances? Can you account for all of your income? Are you spending wisely? Do you have a savings plan and a budget? After tithing always pay yourself first. If you experience a decrease income change your spending habits. Eliminate unnecessary spending. Is it cheaper to cook or eat out? Believe it or not sometimes it’s less expensive to eat out if you are only feeding one person. A side salad and chicken nuggets may cost $2 for lunch providing protein and leafy greens verses buying salad fixings and either meat from the deli or fresh meat to cook from the grocery store that may spoil or go to waste if not cooked or eaten. Fresh is always best but we must also be budget conscious.

Do you have emotional relationships that strengthen you or are they one-sided? Surround yourself with people that have your best interests at heart. You may have to distance yourself from some people while reaching out to others that can assist you in your journey. Glean from those around you and offer your knowledge to others without putting yourself in a position that drains you.

We read Joshua 1:8 that we should meditate on the word of God. Are you meditating on God’s word? What happens when you meditate on something? It becomes second nature, a habit. You do it without thinking. When you meditate on the word of God His ways become your ways and in doing so you make your way prosperous because you are following His formula for success.

Take inventory of your life. Recharge your battery. I purchased a new battery for my car but we only have one life. Make the best of yours. Eliminate what is draining you.