The fact is that truth is more often than not something other than what we actually think it is. I have been in a life long battle with "truth" and I'm really just starting to get it. God is truth, and beside Him there is only that which He declares true. There is reality because the ultimate Truth Himself spoke everything to be.
Forgive me, I stray from my topic! Earlier this afternoon I began reading a book called "Telling Yourself the Truth" by Backus and Chapian. By the end of the first page I was already thinking "Woah...this was written for me!" Already, the book shattered a false belief in my life. This false belief is that I'm the only one who feels the way I do or thinks the way I think. The authors gave examples of people who say the EXACT same words that I tell myself all the time.
The truth is that I believe lies the bleed out of hurt emotions and a severe habit of self destruction. My "self-talk" takes a problem or an issue and dwells on it; makes it worse; and causes my joy, peace, and happiness to implode on themselves. My desire is to change this about my life and walk in truth rather than foolish lying and self degrading self talk.
I think that too often many of us get lost in the past and in our feelings. We jump to conclusions and for those, like me, you might be stuck in a pattern or habit of lying to yourself or letting your mind follow a thought trail that is demeaning to yourself.
Here are some tips I've learned (all of these can be found in book mentioned above):
Forgive me, I stray from my topic! Earlier this afternoon I began reading a book called "Telling Yourself the Truth" by Backus and Chapian. By the end of the first page I was already thinking "Woah...this was written for me!" Already, the book shattered a false belief in my life. This false belief is that I'm the only one who feels the way I do or thinks the way I think. The authors gave examples of people who say the EXACT same words that I tell myself all the time.
The truth is that I believe lies the bleed out of hurt emotions and a severe habit of self destruction. My "self-talk" takes a problem or an issue and dwells on it; makes it worse; and causes my joy, peace, and happiness to implode on themselves. My desire is to change this about my life and walk in truth rather than foolish lying and self degrading self talk.
I think that too often many of us get lost in the past and in our feelings. We jump to conclusions and for those, like me, you might be stuck in a pattern or habit of lying to yourself or letting your mind follow a thought trail that is demeaning to yourself.
Here are some tips I've learned (all of these can be found in book mentioned above):
- Avoid over generalization! Words such as always, never, everyone, & no one are rarely (if ever) true.
- You aren't the only one who feel the way you do, so don't go around thinking others haven't been through what you've been through. (Besides, what makes you so special that God should deem you the one to go through something that no one else has gone through or something that can't be over come?)
- There are a lot of was that we deceive ourselves and we need to be aware of things we say to ourselves.
- Prayer and spiritual discipline are a big part of this, don't leave God out.
- Don't be afraid to run to friends and/or family for help. Accountability is important and "faithful are the wounds of a friend and deadly are the kisses of an enemy.
- Looking at one's childhood can help one understand their self talk and why they do it, but we cannot base all of our problems in the past. We have to let the past go and be aware of the present. The past doesn't keep us from acting on the now. It is not "sovereign" over your actions.
I know there is much more to learn. I had a couple more points I wanted to put down...but I'm so tired that I forgot them :P
Peace be upon you all,
Stephen
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