Your Thoughts Do Matter

As a Certified Temperament Counselor, when I sit down with a new client and go over results of their temperament profile, I get the opportunity to see how God uniquely created them.  This is just one of the valuable tools I use to help clients discover strengths they can develop, weaknesses they are resisting, as well as show unmet needs that cause stress and conflict in their life and in their relationships with others.  Not only am I amazed and enlightened to see how God uniquely created this person, it has been equally amazing to study my temperament and how important we all are to the body of Christ.

Since learning of my temperament, I am fully aware my moods can follow my thinking process.  If I am thinking up, my mood goes up.  If I am thinking down, my mood goes down.  This is why it is so important for me to continually study the Word of God and stay cautious of what I am reading, watching and listening to.  There is some truth to the old saying, “garbage in, garbage out”.

Yes, there are days when I slip into old habits and have some stinking thinking going on.  Those closest to me would agree because my mood isn’t as pleasant as it could be.  So, not only am I on guard of what I see or hear, I am aware of what I am thinking about.  In my case, stinking thinking sometimes causes me to be critical of not only myself but others as well.  Being critical of myself has led me down some dark paths that I do not want to revisit.  So, I have had to learn to read and meditate on what God says about me and be willing to see myself and others through the eyes of Christ.  I am grateful and blessed that I am on a brighter path today keeping my thoughts in check and seeing others as Christ sees them.

When we are not well and suffering either physically, mentally, or spiritually, it will begin to show up in unexpected ways.  One way is our thought life.  Our thoughts really do matter.  Here is a list of ten action steps to get you pointed in the right direction of being well again.

1. I am in control of my life and through positive mental management I can stay well.
2. I am responsible for my life, my thoughts, choices, action, behavior and the state of my body.
3. I am greeting each day with love and I always look for the positive in each person, situation and thing.
4. I am resolutely turning my back on the past, good or bad, and live only in the present.
5. I am forgiving myself whole heartedly, and then I forgive all others without exception.
6. I am devoting time each day to rebalancing, through meditation, relaxation and exercise.
7. I am taking steps to find my purpose and imagine myself fulfilling that purpose.
8. I am able to laugh at myself and situations that I sometimes take too seriously.
9. I am continuing a daily program of positive thinking, body and breathing exercises, stress analysis, relaxation and meditation.
10. I am with the help of God and a belief in a power greater than myself, recovered in body, mind and spirit as a result of these modalities.

Finally, Brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.

Philippians 4:8