In my first article on taking your power back I talked about learning how to set boundaries by “Embracing Your Inner NO.” That was step 1.
Step 2 in the process of taking your power back comes as you identify, face and dismantle the triggers in your life.
Now comes the daily task of exercising self-control as we put the brakes on our stinkin’ thinkin’––first our heads, then our mouths!
THE CHAINS THAT BIND
So much of our bondage can be attributed to our thoughts. We think our way into a bad mood by not dispelling the first negative thought that pops into our head. I’m guilty.
Last week, while combing through a pile of books in search of a particular title, I stumbled on Joyce Meyer’s book, Battlefield of the Mind. If you don’t have it, but like me, you are on a journey for better results and relationships in your life––it’s a must read.
I encourage you to pick up this book and the accompanying study guide if you are challenged with staying positive, a wandering mind, confusion, doubt, unbelief, anxiousness, worry, being judgmental, suspiciousness, being too critical of others or being too passive––not taking action when you should. Yes, it’s quite a list isn’t it?
Joyce gives insight and practical advice on how to overcome these mind challenges using the word of God and mental exercise––practice.
You see––we have to take control of our thought life if we are to change ourselves.
It doesn’t matter how old you are today––20 or 12, 30 or 60. If you plan to live another day or decade, you will either become more of, or less than what you are right now and that will be based first on what you think and then what you do. Action is the common denominator amongst people who succeed and talk the foundation of those who do not.
A decision must be made. Will you be controlled by the flesh––leaning on yourself, or by the Spirit––leaning on the Father? You cannot have a truly positive life with a negative mind.
Being negative doesn’t always mean that you’re saying something heinous about someone else––though that does count. It can also mean that you are thinking (and then manifesting) something negative about yourself that keeps you from moving forward. Do any of the thoughts below sound familiar?
Thoughts That Paralyze Behavior
|
I don’t deserve …
|
You don’t try.
|
|
I’m too old to try, to start, to do …
|
You don’t try.
|
|
I’m not smart enough …
|
You don’t try.
|
|
It’s too late to start doing that …
|
You don’t try.
|
|
I’m never gonna’…
|
You don’t try.
|
|
They probably won’t want me anyway…
|
You don’t try.
|
Thoughts That Make You Mean Behavior
|
Why is she doing better than me?
|
You contort your face each time you see her because you think you’re better than her.
|
|
I could do a much better job than that.
|
You snatch things out of her hand, or correct her, every chance you get. This way, you can show everyone how much better you would do the task if it was your responsibility.
|
|
Who crowned her queen of …..?
|
Every time you come in contact with her, you try to make things difficult.
|
Thoughts That Cause You To Hurt Others
When You Have the Power to do So Behavior
|
Someone needs to take that away from her.
|
You make a phone call to someone that owes you a favor.
|
|
I’ll show her.
|
You embarrass her in public.
|
Our parents often said, “Actions speak louder than words.” What they didn’t tell us was how the positive or negative self-talk in our heads repeated over and over again would impact our approach to the world and the people around us.
Joyce says, “Positive thoughts are full of faith and hope. Negative thoughts are full of fear and doubt.”
Thoughts That Liberate Behavior
|
I would look great in that.
|
You see yourself wearing it.
|
|
That looks like fun.
|
You see yourself doing it.
|
|
I think I could get the hang of that.
|
You try it.
|
|
Heck, I’m only 50.
|
You try it.
|
|
It’s now or never.
|
You try it.
|
|
They could probably use my help and expertise.
|
You walk up, introduce yourself and offer your services.
|
Thoughts That Make You Happy Behavior
|
She is so good at that?
|
You walk up to her and say, “You are so good at that, do you think you could teach me?”
|
|
She looks like she could use a little help with that.
|
You walk up and offer your assistance.
|
Thoughts That Cause You To
Help Others When You Have
the Power to do So Behavior
|
This organization is doing a lot of good in our community, I wonder if there is something I can do to help?
|
You make a phone call to someone that owes you a favor.
|
|
Is she walking from Crenshaw & Slauson to Sepulveda Boulevard every day?
|
You see her at church and ask,
“Is that you I see walking all the way down Slauson every day? Is there something I can do to help?” Then you purchase a monthly bus pass for her.
|
When I start to feel fearful or I am stricken with doubt, I start speaking my praise out loud. Have you ever noticed that your fears and doubts cannot exist together in the same space as your praise or prayer spoken out-loud.
Try it. Try thinking something negative while your mouth is saying, “I live by the fact of Gods faithfulness. I live by the fact of God’s faithfulness.” Go ahead. Say it, over and over again. 5, 10, 15 times if you must. Exercise that muscle. I can almost guarantee that your praise will drown out and then chase away the fear and doubts. And it doesn’t work just once, it works all the time!
TAKING MATTERS INTO YOUR OWN MIND
We say we know that Satan is a liar. But when he starts attacking us with those negative thoughts and feelings, we often react instead of taking action. Reacting is getting upset, saying things we don’t mean, feeling defeated before we start, and even retreating into our cubby holes where nothing gets done.
Taking Action to use the tools that we have been given is taking a Spirit filled approach to fighting the war that wages in our heads. Remember what He said, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2 Cor 10:4.
There is a scripture that I programmed into my phone this month (Oct 2011). It is 2 Cor 10:5. “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Let me break this down for you the way He broke it down to me the other day.
We (I) demolish (tear down, smash, destroy, unbuild) arguments (opposition, differing points of view, reasoning, variance) and EVERY pretension (false, justification, allegation, claim, make-believe) that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and I take captive (take and hold as if a prisoner of war, confine, keep within bounds) EVERY thought to make it obedient (submissive to the command of authority) to Christ.
I believe that every time a negative thought about yourself or someone else pops into your heard, at that exact moment you should refuse to accept it by taking it captive and making it obedient to what you SAY you BELIEVE Christ thinks and says about you as a Child of the living God.
Exercise that muscle.
I’m Crystal Wright and I approve this message.
#######
For 24 years Crystal Wright represented some of the most talented freelance makeup, hair, fashion stylists and manicurists in entertainment and fashion. If the work of celebrity hair stylist Neeko, makeup artist Monifa Mortis, fashion stylist's Lisa Michelle and Melinda Tarbell ring a bell, then you know just a few of the people she has represented over the years.
Two and a half years ago God told her that, that season was over and she should focus on writing, speaking, teaching and coaching. Since then, she has written her second book; 30 Days at 100 Percent and launched a career coaching business for individuals and small groups.
She has been called many things, but most often she's called the "Empowerment Diva" and YOU are on her list of things to do.
Crystal believes in personal responsibility and is not afraid to share her own life lessons of the times she buried her own head in the sand and came up on the bottom of a bad decision. Her job now? to inspire and motivate others to take responsibility for their choices, leave their excuses at the door, get control of their lives and take their power back.
She has self-published 2 books, The Hair Makeup & Fashion Styling Career Guide and 30 Days at 100 Percent: Changing Your Life 30 Days at a Time. If you are a beaty pro who needs answers about what to do next to break into the world of print, video, film and TV the Career Guide is for YOU!
If your life is a mess, or you just simply feel stuck and without direction, energy or focus, then pick up the book and maybe even the audio version of 30 Days at 100 Percent and get ready for a change.
In all things Crystal challenges you to strive for excellence and get hold of your life by tackling one thing every 30 days. You can order both books online in the CrystalWrightLive Store.
