You are what you think? Yes as it is written Proverbs: 4:23 says "Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts." This bible study explains that there is power in your thoughts and how to control them. Colossians 2:8 says "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. We are susceptible to a gradual process of giving in to the values and priorities of our culture The process is like molding clay around what everyone else thinks or does and Satan is deliberately eroding your Christian values. Paul wrote about this "Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind", Romans 12:2
God's Thinking Cap as described to transform our thoughts as part of the armor that God provides us as "helmet of salvation" in Ephesians 6:17. "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", 2 Corinthians 10:5 Tools that are useful to combat stinky thinking of anxiety, depression, hopelessness, loneliness and other toxic thoughts. One of the tools is to practice picky thinking which is discernment of what is true or actively helpful like deleting scam texts on your phone. Immediately delete it from your mind, do not allow it and set boundaries. Another tool is to screen against false narratives that distort what we believe about ourselves and can cause us to overreact in disproportionate ways. When confronted with false narratives, use the Scripture to uproot it and replant with God's truth.
Getting Unstuck from Anxiety and Guilt is to pray for peace and trust that he will provide it. For it is written "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight", Proverbs 3:5-6 Pray to God and thank him for his unending love and ask for help to confess any and all sins to be removed from you. Believe that he has done this when Jesus died on the cross. As in 1John 1:9 says "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins an purify us from all unrighteousness."
Finding Joy and Avoiding the Lure of Lust is the ultimate reward of the longing for intimacy and connection with others. Yet we can avoid the bait by finding joy in Christ, as your strength. Worship him, pray and seek his presence Believe that joy is possible, but not tied to an outcome of greed. For it is written, John 15:9-11" As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Fathers commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete". So in your joy do not be turned towards lust and in it go beyond the temptation into sin. It may take much more effort to tame the thoughts of sex and sexuality that can start out slowly and then be easily explained and eventually grow into an event that would destroy a marriage.
Navigating Overwhelming Situations and Pain is described in Psalms 34:18 "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Think that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, which means I am equipped to handle anything God brings my way. Use positive thinking and pray to him when awakening, and at the end of the day. Praise him during the day and meditate on his Word. Understand although there are trials in life, God will use your suffering for his glory. Remember God's goodness and mercy, meditating on his greatness and truth.
Facing Rejection and Dissatisfaction as an example of Paul's life ended rejected and imprisoned after spending decades planting churches and training disciples. Our culture encourages us to always want "more", where Paul was good at embracing "enough". We must face our thoughts of wanting more and replace them with thoughts of having enough and that God is our provider. Know that you do not earn your way to salvation, for it is written "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. Seek contentment i times of need and in times of plenty as Paul says "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13. So as we were mad in his image, our thoughts are meant to resemble and reflect God's thoughts. As Paul described in 1 Corinthians 2:16, "the mind of Christ".
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