Toxic Thoughts

I wake up in the morning and as I lie in bed I think about how well, I will do that day. By the time I serve breakfast I am already rushed and irritable. When I feel this way, I self destruct. What can I do to carry out my good thoughts?

The thoughts you are get that steal your joy I call ”toxic thoughts”. We all get them it is what we do with them that determines are ability to be happy in our daily life.

If you allow yourself to think about a toxic thought like: I can’t do this, I am not good enough, I can’t stand this person, I hate my life, my job sucks these types of thoughts get into your soul and your brain and produce stress in your life. Proverbs 23:7 “As a man thinkith in his heart so shall he be.”

Recognize a toxic thought immediately combat it with a Godly thought. To do this memorizes a Bible verse. The Word of God a powerful way to change your mind! I encourage you to memorize one short verse a week. For that week use it as your mantra. Put it on your fridge, your dashboard, your computer… repetition is memories’ twin.

Romans 8: 6 “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

I am crazy busy these days. I really don’t have time to visit with my Grandparents or my parents. I want to honor them. I just can’t give them my time right now. How else can I honor them?

I believe to honor our parents, grandparents, and friends and family it is all the same. We need to listen to them, respect them and give them our time. It is so hard to give your time when you are already too busy.

I have found that quality time is most effective and can be a simple phone call, card in the mail, even just an email. Quality time is born out of genuine concern. I think of people often and just thinking of them does not count! You have to take the extra effort! The people in our lives are here for only a short while. We have limited amounts of time to spend with those we love. It feels like we can spend that time tomorrow, yet tomorrow is always just as busy as today.

I know that when I spend the effort to help a friend or call my Mom it is effort well spent. The time helps the person and it also helps me. When I take the time to look someone in the eye, hear what they are saying or give them a genuine smile it makes me feel more complete. I feel that I am acting in God’s will and that helps me.

When I ignore someone’s phone calls or hardly give them the time of day, I feel a rottenness brewing in my soul. I have found that no matter how busy I am, if I at least take a “bit” of good quality time with those people who are in my life daily I feel that is how God works through me.

If you want to honor your Grandparents and not spend much time that is too bad for you. At least when you are with them look them in the eye, listen to what they have to say and genuinely be there when you are with them. Even if your time is short you can make a big impact. Enjoy your time with all those who enter your life. Make each interaction count. You will feel God working through you!

Leviticus 19:18 “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”

1 John 3:17 “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him how does the love of God abide in him?”

I quit smoking and gained about 20 pounds. I want to lose the weight but, this diet thing is triggering my desire to smoke. Sometimes I feel like I would rather be a smoker than fat. What should I do?

Congratulations on your non-smoking status!! Great job!! Smoking is the major contributor to heart disease. Smoking not only hurts you but those around you. There is nothing pretty, good or desirable about smoking. It is one of the absolute worse things you can do to your body! Was that harsh enough? You are better off being 20 pounds over weight than to be a smoker. People who are fit and 25 pounds over weight are healthier than someone unfit and at their ideal body weight. Try not to stress about your weight. Concentrate on improving your fitness level. You already have by quitting smoking.

Colossians 3:9-10 NKJ “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.”

I did it again, I blew it all weekend and so far I have not planned for this week. It is Monday and I feel like it is already too late to start. I just never seem to get off to a good start. What can help me get off to a good start?

It is never too late to get off to a good start. Even Paul said,” why is it that I do the things I don’t want to do and I don’t do the things I want to do?” I tried 30 years to quit drinking and finally one day I was delivered. I spent years in anorexia and bulimia and finally was delivered. Most people do not get delivered from a behavior they want to change overnight. Most of us have to keep on keeping on with His strength and determination to make it. With Jesus as your savior yesterday, last year, five minutes ago are all in the past and you are forgiven. He knows what you have done wrong and what you will do wrong and He still washes you clean. Just accept His forgiveness, stop worrying about what you have done and concentrate on what you can do now!

Today, take five minutes and come up with a plan for the rest of the day on how you will achieve your goals. Then commit yourself to doing it! If you stumble do not worry about it. Keep on trying. Later today plan your week. You cannot reach a goal if you have not set one. Right your goals down and see yourself accomplishing them. This transformation enters your mind, body and soul by the power of His grace. Remember throughout today and each day you always have a friend in Jesus and He will never leave you nor forsake you. Let Him help you stay on the plan.

Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2. And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed t by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Here it is a new season, first day after Labor Day I want to get back on track. The summer was so hectic. I seem to always lose focus. How can I get a good plan for this fall and stay with it?

In order to reach a goal you have to have it first. Many of us have goals that are to vague, thus unattainable. An example of this would be saying I want to lose weight this fall or I want to make more money this fall, I want to get in better shape this fall. These all sound good the problem with them is the way they are worded. They are noble goals without a clear path. To achieve a goal determine your plan. Instead of just saying I want to lose weight say, “I want to lose two pounds a week for ten weeks. So, I am going to eat this planned menu and exercise one hour a day five days a week starting today.” Then do it! Make a good plan not only for the day, but for the week, the month and the year. This will give you an exact map to reach your goals. Without a clear map it is almost impossible to reach your destination.

Luke 14:28 “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it-“

Once you have a clear map, follow it! Wake up every day and stick to your plan. Schedule in your break times. This will make your plan is doable. It takes 21-28 days to formulate new habits so list the days on your calendar and make a minimum commitment to 28 days. To reach your goals for this fall and this year you have to make a clear plan and stick to it! Have an accountability time scheduled into each day. Analyze how you did each day, each week, month and adjust your plan accordingly. Keep your plan realistic, so you can achieve success. Keep your map challenging, so you don’t get complacent. Let your yes be yes and your no, no. Make a commitment to walk a new walk call on God for your strength and keep on keeping on!

Mathew 5:37 “But let your Yes be Yes and your No , No For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”

Why is laughing good for me and how can I do it more?

Laughing is good for you because it releases stress. It also gives you a workout for your abdomen, your lungs and your facial muscles. It simply just feels good to get a belly laugh. How can you get in more laughter? Laugh as an exercise. Laugh on purpose. HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HE! HE! HE! HE! HE! HO! HO! HO! HO! HO! Say these ha, he, hoes five times in a row, loudly. It works, you will most likely break into a full belly laugh. If you don’t, you still derive benefit from just saying these words. Try it, you’ll love it! This is the laughing exercise. You can also chose to laugh, watch a comedy, read a joke book, reminisce with a friend about old happy times. Laughing is fun way to be more healthful.

Proverbs 15:13 “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”

I quit drinking 52 days ago. I decided to join AA and work on a change manual. I just pick a couple small things at a time and work on them. Is this a good technique?

You have a great idea! Changing everything all at once can feel too overwhelming.

Quitting drinking is a powerful accomplishment. I am a recovering alcoholic and I know if I decided to start up with alcohol all my peace and serenity would be gone. Jesus would still love me and I would still be saved but life here on earth would” GO BACK TO SUCKING!”.

Living life clean and sober is a great way to live! In order for me to stay clean I focus on what to do. I value my sobriety with every part of my being. I know that if I drink I will lose everything. So when I have thought of drinking I immediately combat it by letting go of the thought. In order for us alcoholics to get well we need to not even flirt with the idea of drinking or being a “normal Drinker”.

My true wellness began when I decided stop entertaining the illusion of drinking. It is the bottom line. In the beginning I had to constantly, contently tell myself, am not going to take a drink today no matter what! Sometimes I had to go to bed early. I replaced my drinking thoughts with my new desired thoughts and behaviors. This is where your change manual is going to be effective.

Keep up the good work. Congratulations on your sobriety!! You Go Girl!! Remember one day at a time, one moment at a time.

1 Peter 1 13-15 “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest you hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance: but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”