“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
Dr. Charles Stanley presents four basic components for bringing our beliefs in line with what God says about us as he concludes Chapter 1 of Emotions. The first two components are discussed today.
1. Examine the thoughts that dominate your life. It simply isn’t true, Dr. Stanley states, that “time heals all wounds”. While the memory of our ministry downsizing or vocation loss may fade over the years, tainting our worldview and response to our circumstances, time itself has no power to heal. The author emphasizes that the Holy Spirit “exposes the false messages that drive our identity, decisions, and interactions with others.” As God unearths our false beliefs, He can replace them with the truth and make us whole.
2. Exchange your thought patterns. After the deceptive ideas fueling our thought patterns are revealed, they must be replaced with a godly thought process. Dr. Stanley believes the most effective thing we can do is read Scripture. By doing so God teaches us to respond in a manner that builds us up, rather than tears us down.
Today’s question: What wounds remain from your ministry downsizing or position loss? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Triumphing over our emotions- Part 2”
