Hey there, momma! Let’s talk about the Biblical and scientific evidence that we can choose what we want to think about. Read how our thougths are a reflection of what influences we input. Finally, how our thoughts create our emotions. I’m writing this for me…the me 20+ years ago who needed to read and hear the message of hope I share. I don’t know if Christian Life Coaching for overwhelmed women was a thing all those years ago, but it is now. I promise you, I won’t stop sharing and talking about it.
I Know What I’m Talking About; I’ve Lived It
This truth, wisdom, and counsel I share and teach my clients is what saved my life via a biblical counselor years ago. My passion is to make these tools accessible to every single one of you! Like many of you, I have felt defeated by various trials and some days just by plain ‘ol life—illnesses that sweep through the household, moments of pure exhaustion, and the challenge of lifting my spirit while carrying my responsibilities.
I remember one particularly difficult season: I managed to make it through a virus that led to pneumonia in two of my kids, ear infections in others, and so much coughing that I thought we might never get a good night’s sleep again…Oh, and my husband who never traveled for work was gone for 16 weeks through it all! Looking back, somehow we made it and have the funny memories to laugh about now! Like all of us taking turns eqach night using the nebulizer, or rolling up to the doctor’s office and him coming out to the van, opening the door and listening to everyone’s chest–mine included!
The thing is, we can chose joy, even when it feel out of reach and ridiculous at the moment. But we have to train ourselves to do it!
As Christian women, we all strive for the virtues of resilience and joy. But it’s the “how” that gets us! How do we rise above the overwhelming emotions when it feels like we’re drowning? I want to let you in on a transformative secret: the way we choose to think is how we feel.
The idea of our thoughts creating our feelings isn’t just spiritual wisdom and Bible based; it’s backed by the latest in neuropsychology. Have you heard the term “neuroplasticity”? Neuroplasticity is the ability our brains have to change and rewire based on our thought patterns. This is so encouraging! In a world that often feels out of our control, knowing we actually can control our thoughts…which produces our feelings is powerful!
Shifting Focus: The Law of Attention and the Power of God’s Word
In The 4:8 Principle: The Secret to a Joy-Filled Life, Tommy Newberry talks about the Three Laws of Emotional Strength, beginning with the Law of Attention. *I wrote an updated post recently on the other Two Laws. If you’re anything like me, you may have spent years letting your mind be filled with whatever was around you, from TV shows to social media and sensationalized stories. And grace for myself, right? I didn’t know what I didn’t know; that each piece of negativity I was absorbing was feeding my worry and fear. Let me tell you, my worry and fear were FAT and HAPPY! As a side note, this is one of the biggest reasons why I don’t understand the fascination with true crime podcasts right now??!!
In other words, what we focus on grows in our minds and affects our entire lives.
King David understood this power of thought focus centuries ago, which is why he prayed, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, LORD” (Psalm 19:14). David wasn’t a perfect man; he made mistakes–big ones, yet he knew the importance of focusing his mind on God’s truth and promises rather than his sorrows. Please do not get me started on this sense of sinfulness and unforgiveness we carry around in Christian circles; it’s a false humility friends. If David had stayed focused on his past failings, he would have stayed stuck. And a stuck person, even King David, can’t proclaim the joy of the Lord as their strength.
David could only rise and rejoice by filling his mind with thoughts of the goodness of God; this is our example.
Recognizing Harmful Thought Patterns
For me, this journey began with a humbling realization: I was feeding my fears. Not only was I actively consuming negativity, but I was also allowing it to roll around in my mind on repeat, making it a part of my daily “thought diet”. I know this is exactly what someone needs to hear right now! You are staying stuck in an internal dialogue that’s quick to criticize, to worry, or to dwell on past mistakes. But here’s the life-giving truth: God doesn’t want us to stay in those cycles of negativity and fear; He invites us into His perfect peace. Let’s choose to start moving toward it by choosing to focus our minds on His promises.
I’m sharing this because I want you to know that change is possible! Neuroplasticity shows us that the brain can create new pathways. The more we choose to focus on uplifting, God-centered thoughts, the more our brains adapt to make positivity a natural state of mind.
Action Steps to Break Free from Negative Thought Patterns
- Start with Scripture: The Psalms are a powerful place to start. Reading about David’s heartfelt cries to God can help you shift from anxiety to hope, reminding you that even a “man after God’s own heart” faced struggles to chose trust.
- Control Your Input: Evaluate what you’re watching, reading, and listening to. Are these sources encouraging or detracting from a peaceful mind? Letting go of certain media can feel like a loss at first, but it opens space for God’s joy.
- Practice Gratitude: Even on the toughest days, find three things to thank God for. Gratitude can be a powerful way to refocus your attention from what’s going wrong to what’s going right.
- Prayerful Meditation: Psalm 119:15 says, “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.” Spend a few moments each day reflecting on God’s promises and His love for you. Speak the truth of Scripture affirmations to yourself, like “I am loved,” “I am chosen,” or “God has plans for me.” (*I just wrote one of the most important posts I’ve ever written about this topic: Daily Affirmations for Overwhelmed Christian Moms)
I Went First and Now I’m Here for You!
Momma, I know firsthand the transformative power of shifting your thoughts and choosing joy. My journey wasn’t instant, and it wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. As your Christian Life Coach, let me help you on your path toward emotional strength and peace.
As a Christian life coach, I work with women just like you—strong yet overwhelmed, trying to juggle faith, family, and self-care. Through one-on-one coaching sessions, we can uncover the root of your struggles (Hint–your thoughts) and replace those old thought patterns with God-centered truths.
Momma, you are ready to begin this journey of renewal and joy. Start with a Free 30-minute Discovery session with me. Let me show you how your thoughts are creating your feelings. Let me teach you how your life will never be better than how you choose to think about your life. Together, we will walk on this path to joy, healing, and emotional stability; fully accepting and living in the promises of God.
You are ready to start! Book your Free Session Now!
Scripture References:
Psalm 19:14
Psalm 119:15
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