it's Nita.

Do you ever feel like your thoughts are getting the best of you? You know those invasive and unwanted thoughts of failure or criticism or fear or anxiety, even anger or injustice that make you want to boil over! Or perhaps the opposite… overwhelming sadness, grief or depression.

Yeah, I have a feeling we’ve all been there at some point. And the thing is we are wired for emotion. Emotional responses give us a clue to how to respond to what is happening in the moment.

BUT sometimes our thoughts and feelings consume us in an unhealthy way. In the mental health field they call this rumination. Rumination is the process of continuously thinking about something (typically a sad or dark event) over and over again. This has negative health outcomes as it can lead to intensified depression, anxiety and withdrawal.

With all going on in the world personally and globally, there is more than enough bad news and drama to take anyone to the edge of reason. BUT there’s hope. ❤️

Three verses in particular (among developing other health habits) have been transformative in my mental health journey.

Proverbs 23:7a “For as a he thinks in his heart so is he.”

This is a truth we must set our hearts and minds on beloved. Our thoughts (what enters and is entertained in our mind, old memories, etc.) without a doubt impact our mood and behavior. It’s a simple truth that we’ve probably heard several times before but always worth revisiting. How’s your thought life?

2 Corinthians 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.”

This scripture reminds me of my power to overcome! Yeah, my thoughts aren’t always in order with the actions and behaviors I want my life to exhibit. BUT I have the authority in Christ to make them so. Exercise your authority friends!

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

My encouragement to you… Keep fighting the good fight of faith! Keep your thoughts on things above and not beneath (Colossians 3:2) and you WILL see the transformation of your minds and lives.

For more about rumination and mental health tips read here.

Love always,

Nita.

P.S. Be sober-minded and vigilant (1 Peter 5:8) but also practice peace of mind. Both are key! I know when I was trying to think correctly I became exhausted with the effort and anxiety of trying to get it right all the time. Let’s face it. We aren’t prefect and we won’t get it right all the time. I repeat, we aren’t perfect and we won’t get it right all the time. Therefore be mindful not to fall into the trap of perfectionism. ❤️