Over the past couple of months I had been in a rut and I could not figure out why. Almost everything irritated me, I wasn't enjoying the company of others and I had stopped taking real good care of myself. Don't get me wrong...I'm a wife, mother and employee so I did what I had to do - but I was running on "E" (completely empty).
After finally having enough of this person I was becoming I decided I needed a change. I started reading Joyce Meyer's book "The Confident Woman" and I haven't looked back. The book is filled with a lot of encouragement, great scripture and stories of strong, courageous and confident women - but the part of her book that has truly changed my heart is her teaching on the "mind." Do you really know how powerful your mind is? I know in my mind that if I touch a hot stove I'm going to get burned so I'm not going to do it. My 10-month old son has no idea that if he jumps off the couch he is going to fall and hurt himself so he tries to jump off the couch at least 20 times a day.
These things are simple but your mind can also be your worst enemy. What is your mind telling you? Is it telling you that you can't have that promotion because you're not qualified? Is it telling you that everybody else has a better marriage than you and your spouse? Is it telling you that your children need more than what you are giving them? Is it telling you that you need to go get that second plate of food because you have nothing else going on in your life? Even if you answered yes to every single one of these questions...I've got some good news! You are more powerful than your mind. Yes...you control it and you can change the direction of your thoughts just like you use a wheel to change the direction of your car. I started putting this into practice a little over a month ago and I can tell you that things have seriously changed.
My mind used to tell me that I was too tired and worked too hard to have enough energy to take care of my active baby boy; but now I say "What? You mean the little boy God blessed me with after two miscarriages, an ectopic pregnancy and life threatening surgery?? Bring on MY BABY!!" My mind used to tell me that marriage was too hard and I was not wife material because I didn't cook four-course meals every night and I still don't have that submissive thing quite right; but now I say "We may have a lot of growing and learning to do but he still comes home to me every night and blows up my phone when we're not together so...Bring on MY MAN!!" My mind used to tell me that my daughter would grow up sad and confused because her father and I are not together; but now I say "You mean the little girl who just turned her life over to Christ, made honor roll and thanks me every other day for taking care of her? Bring on MY BIG GIRL!!" My mind used to tell me that my days as a size 6 were over...I am almost 30, have two kids and that was just that; but now I say "I am fully committed to my new diet and exercise plan, I don't need anything that isn't good for me and settling is not an option...now it's one month later and I'm 12 POUNDS LIGHTER.
Everybody's struggles are different and honestly some things or situations really are just bad...but a lot of things aren't as bad as our mind makes them out to be and it is time to take our minds back. I learned a long time ago to never look at anyone else's situation and start comparing - you have no idea where they came from or where they are going so it is always wasted energy. What I didn't realize is how careful I had to be when dealing with my own thoughts. They can be just as dangerous and can make your life seem dull and downright miserable. So...next time you hear your mind whisper something negative, hateful, counter-productive, whiny or downright wrong...CHANGE YOUR MIND...turn right and tell yourself how much you love...YOU:) When you love you - you can love others - then they love themselves - then they can love others...and the Devil and all of his negative mind tricks lose...over and over again.
