DianneBarkerDianne Barker here confessing that I sometimes struggle with discouragement. One day while talking with the Lord, I caught myself pouring out my heart about my miserable condition—plagued with a multitude of flaws. I stopped with a jolt.

Lord, what a waste! In the first place, you already know this. In the second place, I’ve thoroughly discouraged myself with this negative train of thought. It would do both of us more good if I spent this time praising you!

That’s when I came up with the idea of thinking and speaking in past tense, emphasizing I was instead of I am.

When I dwell on my weaknesses, reminding myself of past mistakes and present flaws, the accuser’s voice agrees, “And you’ll never change.”

When I view my failure as the result of how I was before putting the Lord in charge of my life, his loving voice bolsters me. “Just look at the change in you!”

I am focuses on failure and casts a shadow of hopelessness. I was puts failure in past tense and bathes my future in hope.

This mental trick helps me establish healthful thought patterns. The Bible teaches I become what I think. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…” (Prov. 23:7).

Taking charge of my thinking is a crucial step toward abundant living. Paul encouraged us to think about what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report (Phil. 4:8).  That means attacking the cobwebs of negative thinking.

I’m tired of living in the dumps, and I don’t intend to waste any more time there. Come with me! There’s a place called Joy, and if we hurry we can get there today!

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16:11).

Dianne Barker is a speaker, radio host, and author of 11 books, including the best-selling Twice Pardoned and award-winning I Don’t Chase the Garbage Truck Down the Street in My Bathrobe Anymore! Organizing for the Maximum Life. She’s a member of Christian Authors Network, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and Christian Women in Media. Post adapted from Cabbages and Kings—Reflections on Living Abundantly in Christ. Visit www.diannebarker.com.

One thought on “Attacking the Cobwebs of Negative Thinking

Norma Merrin

August 17, 2016 - 21 : 07 : 16

Excellent, Dianne! Loved this post!

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