When life becomes hard or intense, we engage in self-talk that ultimately worsens our situation--or at least our perception of it. I label this, in my own head, the "it would better if..." self-talk.
Here are some examples (not necessarily from my own life):
- It would be better if I hadn't married so early.....so late.
- It would be better if I had more support.
- It would be better if I'd picked a different major in college.
- It would be better if I didn't have allergies.....migraines.......asthma.......OCD......ADHD......cancer.
- It would be better if I had a newer vehicle....dryer.....washer......mower.
- It would be better if I worked days.....nights.......or didn't have to work weekends.
- It would be better if I'd come from a Christian home.
- It would be better if I'd been saved as a child.
- It would be better if I weren't so shy......sensitive......solitary......demanding.........aggressive.
- It would be better if I lived out in the country......on a farm.......in the mountains......on the beach.
Do you see how these thoughts can have a snowball affect, making our circumstances seem far worse?
I've changed my self-talk over the years, as my faith in Christ has grown. But when several difficulties arise at once, it's oh so tempting to revert back to these dead-end thoughts.
I have to make a full stop, and remember that my life, from beginning to end, is a story. And it's not my story.
I don't write any of it. Before I was born He knew me.
Jeremiah 1:5
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
Instead of wishing for a different story, I need to remember that my story has the happiest of endings. It ends with me in Paradise--with the Lord! There's no better ending than that!
Instead of wishing for a different story, I need to understand that it's a privilege to be used by God. It's an honor to be a character in one of His stories.
Instead of wishing for a different story, I need to rest in His promises, in His wisdom.
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Instead of wishing for a different story, I need to concentrate on being obedient in this one. On being submissive and teachable.
Here are some examples (not necessarily from my own life):
- It would be better if I hadn't married so early.....so late.
- It would be better if I had more support.
- It would be better if I'd picked a different major in college.
- It would be better if I didn't have allergies.....migraines.......asthma.......OCD......ADHD......cancer.
- It would be better if I had a newer vehicle....dryer.....washer......mower.
- It would be better if I worked days.....nights.......or didn't have to work weekends.
- It would be better if I'd come from a Christian home.
- It would be better if I'd been saved as a child.
- It would be better if I weren't so shy......sensitive......solitary......demanding.........aggressive.
- It would be better if I lived out in the country......on a farm.......in the mountains......on the beach.
Do you see how these thoughts can have a snowball affect, making our circumstances seem far worse?
I've changed my self-talk over the years, as my faith in Christ has grown. But when several difficulties arise at once, it's oh so tempting to revert back to these dead-end thoughts.
I have to make a full stop, and remember that my life, from beginning to end, is a story. And it's not my story.
I don't write any of it. Before I was born He knew me.
Jeremiah 1:5
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
Instead of wishing for a different story, I need to remember that my story has the happiest of endings. It ends with me in Paradise--with the Lord! There's no better ending than that!
Instead of wishing for a different story, I need to understand that it's a privilege to be used by God. It's an honor to be a character in one of His stories.
Instead of wishing for a different story, I need to rest in His promises, in His wisdom.
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Instead of wishing for a different story, I need to concentrate on being obedient in this one. On being submissive and teachable.
2 comments:
As I child, i considered having a different story, simply because I didn't really understand what's in story. But now I'm more mature than I was as a child, I'm embracing my story. I really like this post because now I'm liking it even more.
Praise God, Franzwa! Thank you for commenting.
Post a Comment