God Approves of You-Part 2 Mastering Your Thoughts

Hello Queen,

I pray you had a wonderful holiday and enjoyed spending time with family and friends or simply resting.  In the last blog I shared how God approves of you and today I would like to share part two and enlighten you on how God approves of you by helping you master your thoughts. In today's fast-paced world, women often find themselves juggling multiple roles, professional, caregiver, partner, friend, and parent all while striving to meet societal expectations and personal aspirations. In the midst of a whirlwind of responsibilities, it is crucial to recognize the importance of mental health, which includes mastering your thoughts and prioritizing them as a fundamental aspect of your overall well-being.

The scripture teaches us, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phil. 4:8 KJV. Queen, that verse lets you know the value of your thoughts and the essence of His love for you. You are so loved by God that He is giving you a blueprint of how to think because He knows the effects your thoughts have on the condition of your heart and how that condition determines the outcome of your life. There are many people God has used to drive home this main point. However, no matter how you say it, it means the same thing. “Think about what you are thinking about”. Joyce Meyer.

• “Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny”. Mahatma Gandhi

• “It’s All in Your Mind- “Whatever you hold in your mind will tend to occur in your life. If you continue to believe as you have always believed, you will continue to act as you have always acted. If you continue to act as you have always acted, you will continue to get what you have always gotten. If you want different results in your life or your work, all you have to do is change your mind. Original author unknown

• “Thoughts have power; thoughts are energy. And you can make your world or break it by your own thinking”. Susan L. Taylor

• “All feelings derive and become alive, whether negative or positive, from the power of Thought.” Sydney Banks

• "Whatever we plant in our subconscious mind and nourish with repetition and emotion will one day become a reality." Earl Nightingale

Queen, (I plan on doing this myself) changing the pattern of negative thinking involves several steps and techniques that can help transform your mindset and, consequently, what you attract and experience in life. Here are several steps to help you achieve this:

  Awareness and Identification

• Recognize Negative Thoughts: Pay attention to your thoughts and identify when they are negative. Common negative thought patterns include catastrophizing, overgeneralization, and all-or-nothing thinking.

• Keep a Thought Journal: Write down your negative thoughts when they occur. This helps in recognizing patterns and triggers.

Challenge and Reframe

• Question the Validity: Ask yourself if the thought is based on facts or assumptions. Look for evidence that supports or contradicts it.

• Reframe Positively: Replace negative thoughts with positive or neutral ones. For instance, change “I always mess things up” to “I’m still learning, and I can improve with practice.”

Cognitive Behavioral Techniques

• Cognitive Restructuring: This involves identifying and challenging irrational beliefs and replacing them with more realistic and positive ones.

• Thought Stopping: When you notice a negative thought, mentally say “stop” and replace it with a positive thought.

Mindfulness and Meditation

• Mindfulness Practice: Mindfulness helps you stay present and reduces the impact of negative thoughts. Techniques like deep breathing, body scans, and mindful observation can be helpful.

• Meditation: Regular meditation can help calm your mind and increase your awareness of your thought patterns.

Positive Affirmations

• Daily Affirmations: Use positive affirmations to replace negative self-talk. For example, “I am capable and strong” or “I can handle any challenge that comes my way.”

• Visualization: Visualize positive outcomes and experiences, which can help shift your mindset and attract positive experiences.

Gratitude Practice

• Gratitude Journal: Write down things you are grateful for each day. This practice shifts your focus from negative to positive aspects of your life.

• Express Gratitude: Share your gratitude with others, which can further reinforce positive thinking.

Behavioral Changes

• Engage in Positive Activities: Participate in activities that bring you joy and satisfaction. This can improve your mood and reduce negative thinking.

• Surround Yourself with Positivity: Spend time with positive people who uplift and support you. Avoid environments and individuals that foster negativity.

Professional Help

• Therapy: Consider talking to a therapist or counselor, especially if negative thinking is significantly impacting your life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is particularly effective for changing negative thought patterns.

• Support Groups: Join support groups where you can share your experiences and learn from others who are also working on changing their thinking patterns.

Physical Health

• Exercise Regularly: Physical activity can boost your mood and reduce negative thinking.

• Healthy Lifestyle: Ensure you are eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and managing stress effectively.

Consistency and Patience

• Be Patient: Changing thought patterns takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself and recognize that progress may be gradual.

• Consistency: Regularly practice these techniques to reinforce positive thinking and gradually diminish negative thought patterns.

My beautiful sister, if you consistently apply these strategies, you can shift your mindset from negative to positive, which can help you attract better outcomes and experiences in life. Understand to the heart of God you are worthy, you are loved, you deserve this, and you are approved by God. So go after what rightfully belongs to you!

Many blessings,

Dr. Doris