“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” ROMANS 12:2
THE RENEWING OF MY MIND…
If you’re like me, you’ve had times when life was just plain overwhelming. Like your “to-do” list was growing, and your energy level was shrinking. The problem is that I have this unattainable image in my head of what my home should be like: a house on a rolling hillside, with roses growing up the sides and the sweet smell of fresh baked bread wafting from the kitchen window. Inside are perfectly behaved kids, sparkling floors and BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS-esque decor. I am in the kitchen wearing a size 5 dress and a lacy apron with a smile on my face.
This is what I dreamed of when I first got married.
And now look at me!
Let me just be honest, ladies. I am a pessimist by nature. If I am not careful, I’ll end up sad, overwhelmed, and feeling hopeless. But luckily I have a Father who gives me the strength and the tools so that I don’t have to be limited by my nature. He tells us through His Word to BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND. So this is what I do – I fill my mind with positive stuff in order to combat my tendency. I have found this to be SO effective in my battle with negativity. Here’s how I do it:
1) LISTEN WHILE YOU WORK – Whenever I am doing a task that doesn’t require too much of my brain (sweeping, folding laundry, driving, dishes, etc.) I LISTEN to positive stuff:
- Praise and Worship Music – I prefer Contemporary Christian Music from such artists as MERCYME.
- Bible on CD – I highly recommend THE BIBLE EXPERIENCE
- Good Audio Bible Teaching – These can often be found at your local library. I have found some great sources online too:
* FREE 30 minutes per week Beth Moore audio Bible Study online HERE
* FREE 30 minutes per week Beth Moore audio Bible Study online HERE
* Go through the Bible HERE
* Listen to FOCUS ON THE FAMILY daily broadcasts HERE
2) MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE: write out scripture verses on index cards and tape them to the bathroom mirror. Every time you are in the bathroom, say the verse out loud. By the end of the week, you’ll have it memorized! I do this for my kids too.
3) READ THROUGH THE BIBLE: You can find 5 different reading schedules HERE I’d say it takes about 15 minutes per day to have the whole Bible read in a year. OR, you can try this awesome new program called THE ESSENTIAL 100 CHALLENGE . This system is an effective Bible reading program built around 100 carefully selected short Bible passages — 50 from the Old Testament and 50 from the New Testament. It enables you to get the “big picture” of God’s Word and in the process develop a daily Bible reading habit. GREAT FOR TEENS TOO! You can download the reading schedule for free HERE
HOW ABOUT YOU? How do you STAY POSITIVE?
Posted in: Mom's Bible Bite
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Lori,
I loved your post. I, too, tend towards the pessimistic end of the scale. The verse that I always go to is Phillipians 4:8:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
If what I'm thinking on doesn't match up to one of these, then I know I need to change my stinking thinking!
Thanks for the reminder to think on such things!
Lisa @ Mojo
I live by the motto, "Everything happens for a reason". This really helps me a lot in knowing that God has a plan for whatever is happening.
My husband is deploying for a 2nd tour and this time he's going to Afghanistan. We are both deeply sad and angry, but there is nothing that we can do about it, so we choose to live by our motto.
We have already found some reasons that this could be happening, even though neither one of us wants to go through this again.
Also, I like the statement, Change what YOU can only Change. I think we all put too much time and effort into trying to changes things that we have no control over.
Thank you for your post, I really enjoyed it!
Hi there,
We are going through an incredibly tough time. We have a very sick child and don't know how far she will deteriorate if/before she stabilizes. DH and I have been trying so hard to stay positive though all of this. I've been searching and searching for encouragement. We've turned to God but are having a hard time knowing when He will reveal his plan to us. I have been listening to Catholic radio in the car, but I like your ideas of other uplifting things to listen to when feeling down.
Our situation doesn't seem to be going anywhere but I want to be as happy/positive as I can be while in the midst of it. Thank you for your post.
Hi Pandasmom – thanks for sharing. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Nothing worse than the helpless feeling of a parent who has to watch their child suffer. Your faith has encouraged me today!
Pandasmom — so sorry you are going through that! I will be praying!
Thanks, for posting this. I often as if I am the only "glass half-empty" gal out there! I started listening to our local Christian radio around Christmas time and found that it REALLY helps perk me and my kids up during the day.
Lori, love the post girl. Thanks for sharing your heart! It inspiries me!
I needed this today. I haven't done any blog reading the last couple of weeks but something told me to check your blog and I think it was God leading me to this blog because I am sinking into a deep depression.I too tend to be pessimisstic and I have an anxiety disorder, so I have to remind myself not to worry or think the worst is happening or will happen. Thanks for reminding me of these things, and for giving me some ideas to deal with the days I don't want to get out of bed.
Amen!