Can Negative Thoughts Be Productive?

I’m going to do something a bit unusual for this post. If you regularly visit this site, you’ll know that I do my best to promote positive thinking, and focusing on God’s truth about us. However, today I’m going to go in a different direction and promote….gasp….negative thoughts???

No, I haven’t become a hypocrite and say one thing and act in an opposite manner (although I am sometimes guilty of that). I haven’t changed my mind and decided that what I’ve been reading and writing about is untrue. Instead, I am applying some very helpful information I’ve studied, sharing it with you, and hoping that it can help all of us.

I’ve written several articles about how harmful negative thoughts can be. If we think negative thoughts, they ultimately play out into negative situations in our lives. I’ve also read and shared different techniques to deal with these thoughts. One very helpful one is the idea of re-framing. This idea is that whenever you notice a negative thought, immediately catch it and replace it with a positive thought. It can be any positive thought, or one opposite of what you were first thinking. For example, if you catch yourself thinking that you are not worthy of something, stop and think of reasons that you ARE worthy. If you don’t feel healthy, think of what it would be like if you were healthy. Those are just some examples.

Recently, I read of a very helpful technique in dealing with negative thoughts. This has produced a great amount of mental healing and personal freedom during the first few weeks of this new year. I read the idea in Rhonda Byrne’s book, “The Greatest Secret.” Several of her books like “The Secret” and “The Magic” have had life-changing impacts on me, and this one is no exception. In fact, I think I like this one best because it is more of an application process instead of just providing information, which is exactly what I need.

Anyway, here is the technique…. one of the greatest reasons negative thoughts cause negative situations in our lives is because we tend to resist them. We know negative thoughts are harmful to us. We don’t want them. So what we do, is we fight the feelings they cause. We fight to try to rid our minds of the thoughts. What happens when we do this though, is we add fuel to their fire.When we resist something, it just causes more if it. Even though we’re trying to do good and rid ourselves of the negative thoughts and feelings, we are doing more harm because we are still remaining focused on the negative situations.

The freedom bringing suggestion given in the book, is to welcome the negative thoughts instead of resisting them. At first, I disagreed because this seems counterproductive. So we’re just letting these harmful negative thoughts rule our minds? No. We are just saying they are welcome. Now, we can add a little more to this. Ms. Byrne says that when we do this instead of resisting, we take away the power they have on us. Eventually, the negative feelings go away. To add to this, she says that any of these same negative feelings that have built of over time also gradually disappear.

Again, I was a bit skeptical at first, but I decided to give this a try. It didn’t even take a day to realize the truth of this. One of the greatest negative emotions I feel is guilt. I am often slow to act, fall short of my potential, and I regularly feel like I could and should do more for people. As I thought about this, I realize how much this has built up in my mind over time. I don’t like to feel guilty, so I fight it. The result is usually more of it! So at that moment, I decided it was OK for me to feel guilty. However, what happened after that was even more amazing. As I accepted the feeling of guilt and that it was OK to feel that way, I started to automatically re-frame the negative thoughts (the technique I discussed earlier). I felt God speaking to me. I felt like He was saying that the guilt that I was holding onto was just my own thought, and it wasn’t His. I was reminded of several Bible verses to back that up, like there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Like the fact that every sin I’ve ever committed, and every mistake I’ve ever made has already been forgiven because of His death on the cross. On and on I was provided these positive reminders.

I then tried this with other negative thoughts too. I don’t often get angry, but one day there were just several things my wife was doing that were just bothering me. I’m sure you’ve never had that happen to you, but it was happening with me. And it’s not like she was doing it on purpose. Anyway, I caught the negative thoughts as they were happening. Normally, I would try to fight it because I don’t want to think negatively of her. However, I instead welcomed the thoughts and allowed myself to be bothered. After only a few minutes, the negativity lightened, and we ended up having a very nice conversation about something. Lengthy conversations between us don’t happen like they did before, but this was a very pleasant one. What was happening is that, as I accepted and allowed these negative thoughts, I actually felt more positive!

I am realizing more that thoughts and feelings are just that. They are not who I am. More importantly, they don’t control me. I control them. And it is important that I control them because, even though I say they don’t control me, the quality of my thoughts and feelings ultimately controls the quality of my life and circumstances on the outside.

I share this with you because it has been very helpful to me. The process of simply allowing the negative thoughts without resisting them and without letting them control me and determine who I am has been extremely enlightening and liberating. I challenge you to try this as well. Don’t go looking for negative thoughts. However, when you do notice that you are thinking or feeling negative, make yourself aware of it, and welcome the thoughts. Know that it’s OK to have those thoughts, as long as you don’t allow them to overtake you. If you’re like me, you will notice some mental counter arguments. You will feel a release of that negative thought and others like it that have built up in the past. Then those negative clouds eventually disappear, allowing the great light in you to shine uninhibited. That is definitely something to think and feel positive about. Enjoy the blessings 🙂

How to Find Your Inner Joy (That’s Already There)

I recently wrote an article about finding your joy. I mentioned the key to doing so is to look inside of you because that’s where your joy always is. You seek joy there instead of looking for it on the outside in circumstances, people, or activities. I recently heard a message about this that provides a different take on this, and felt the need to share.

Many people are aware that the best place to find joy is within themselves. They know true joy is there, yet they still struggle to experience it. I live in Buffalo NY. Winter here is very difficult. Besides the large amounts of snow we receive, it is very often cloudy and dark. We regularly go days, and sometimes even weeks, without seeing the sun. Does that mean the sun is not there? Does it completely disappear? We know that it does not. The sun is always there. We just don’t see it because it is blocked by the constant interference of clouds and precipitation. When this interference disappears, the beauty of the sun is visible again, we feel its warmth, and we experience its benefits.

This is also true of the unlimited joy we all have. It is always there, all within us. So why do we not experience this joy often enough? It’s because of all the interference we allow that clouds the light of God in us. What is that interference? It’s the constant chatter in our minds, and the negative thoughts and feelings we allow to get in the way that are blocking the light of God’s love. As a result, we don’t experience it, and our lives become dark and depressing, just like the Buffalo winter.

Once again I remind you that the joy you wish to experience is not something you have to go searching for. You already have it and will always carry it right there with you. Here is the key… don’t focus on going out and finding joy. Instead, figure out what is interfering with the joy you already have. Simply clear the clouds of negativity and let them dissipate.

You don’t have to be controlled by your thoughts. Instead, you control them. Any thought that you don’t want, you simply command that it leaves your mind. It’s your choice to keep or dismiss any thoughts. I believe this is what the Bible means when it says to take each thought captive. Focus instead on what you want, and what is good, noble, and praiseworthy.

I realize this is often easier said than done. I’ve been aware of this information for a long time, yet I still fall into this trap more times than I care to admit. I allow the negative thoughts to interfere and block the light far more than the Buffalo clouds. I recommend that if you find this difficult, then ask God for help. He always comes through. There have been times where the winter darkness has been so depressing here, that I’ve asked God to have the sun shine for once. It often happens. He also answers quickly when I ask to see more of His light as well. I believe He will do the same for you. Ask Him to remove the negative clouds from your mind, and I know He will come through and help. Then His love, light, and joy come through, and instead of darkness, you can experience heaven on earth. Enjoy the blessings 🙂

Focusing on The Meaningful

In the past few days, I have seen several messages about a particular topic. You know what that means. God is talking to me again. He is trying to remind me of something. This happens a lot when I am in close contact with Him.

I am being reminded that the circumstances of life, my successes and failures, the ups and downs of this world are not what really matter. What does matter is the love of God. I am being reminded to focus on God, His love, and His kingdom. That’s what means the most. And the ironic part is that, when I focus on God and His kingdom, presence, and righteousness, the other things all fall into place. The circumstances are positive. There are far more successes than failures, and far more ups than downs.

I’ve already seen the positive benefits since I’ve refocused on the meaningful. When I see and focus on God in others, the relationships are good. When I feel God’s presence in me, I feel a wonderful peace that matters far more than any circumstances.

I am not saying that life doesn’t matter. We have every right to celebrate the great times and mourn the bad. However, what matters so much more is the inner world. God’s presence is in you and with you. Place your focus there and you will experience heaven on earth more often than not. I know from experience this is true. Enjoy the blessings 🙂

Two Words to Help You Find Joy

One of the main goals people have is to experience joy in life. For some, it is easier than others. One of the greatest questions is how and where to find that joy.

People seek joy in many different places, such as life experiences, relationships, money, and careers just to name a few. Another question is, why do so many people have a hard time finding joy? I have learned and been recently reminded again, that it’s because they are looking in the wrong places for it. I have often been guilty of this myself.

So how and where do we find this joy that is so often elusive for so many? I can sum it up in two words…. Look inside. Look inside what? Look inside you. It’s so simple. In fact I believe it is too simple, which is why so many people miss it. There are verses all over the Bible that state that the spirit of God is in you. Since that spirit is in you, it is a part of you. You are in union with it! And one of the fruits of that spirit is joy.

You don’t have to go looking for joy. It is already in you and already part of your being. You automatically carry joy, along with the other fruits of the spirit such as love, peace, self-control, etc. with you wherever you are.

Knowing you are already the joy you are seeking, the challenge is to switch your focus. Instead of seeking joy, let the joy that already are shine out from you. How do you do this? There are many ways. What has worked for me is to focus on that joy in me, and also to focus my thoughts on the good in everyone and everything else. Another idea is to watch your thoughts. Remove any thought that interferes with the joy that is already part of you. Doing this follows the Biblical advice to take each thought captive. Feed your mind with joyful thoughts. Ones that are good, noble, and praiseworthy, which is another bit of Biblical advice. Remove the ones that have the potential to cloud the light of the joy that is in you.

I realize that this is a very simple, and basic post. However, as I mentioned before, this concept does not have to be complicated. Remember that joy is already yours. You already have it and are it. Instead of seeking it, let it shine forth brightly from you, without any interference. The Bible says it is God’s will that we are joyful always. Why not follow this advice and deliberately experience this joy that is a part of all of us. Enjoy the blessings 🙂