There was a time a few years ago when I was teaching
infants that I was struggling and I was comparing myself with the other teacher
in the classroom. In order to replace the negative thoughts that I was having…
“I can’t do this.”
“I told my boss I wasn’t cut for teaching infants full
time.”
…I started saying things (out loud) like “I’m just as
good as so-and-so” or “I’m better at this than…” Well, my conversations with
myself were overheard by one of my
co-workers and these comments were relayed back to my other co-workers. Even
though my comments were positive about me I was still comparing myself to
others…only I was trying to convince myself that I was just as good if not
better than they were.
I learned the lesson the hard way that there are right
and wrong ways to replace thoughts of negativity and comparison. I came across
to my co-workers as arrogant and superior when the truth was that I was feeling
inferior.
At one time or another most of us (if not all of us)
struggle with negative thinking and comparing ourselves to other people, and in my last blog, I shared with you what
can be done to change the tendency to be negative and compare ourselves to
others. (The 4 R’s: Recognize, Repent, Replace, & Repair) The one of these
steps that I find the hardest is replacing the thoughts of comparison.
How do you take the thoughts that seem to just randomly
pop into your head and block them or stop them altogether? Well, here is what I have been doing when I
need to replace negative thoughts.
1)
Pray
Our first line of defense
against negative thinking should always be prayer. Ask the Lord to remove these
thoughts and pray out loud. The Lord will remove these thoughts when asked. I
was sitting at home one evening, and I felt like I was under attack. I had
negative thoughts about myself just flooding my mind and I was struggling to
find any reason to move forward. I had opened my Bible and was trying to read,
but nothing was getting through the thoughts. I started praying out loud,
pleading with God to take away these thoughts, when I just felt flooded with
His peace and I suddenly couldn’t remember what I was thinking about, at least
not the exact thoughts that were attacking me. I recommend praying out loud
because Satan and his minions do not read thoughts.
2)
Read Scripture
Spending time everyday reading
the Bible is important, but when you feel down on yourself or are comparing
yourself to others you need to saturate yourself in the Word. Look up verses
that remind you that how much God loves you. One of my favorite books in the
Bible to read is the Song of Solomon. (Yes, I know how racy it is.) To me, it
is a reminder of how passionately we are loved by God. Some of my other
favorite places to read when I find myself comparing to others are Psalms 139;
Proverbs 31; Psalm 103; and Matthew 5:13-16.
3)
Memorize Scripture
What if you are out shopping or
at work and you don’t have your Bible with you? (Which if you are like me, isn’t
very likely because I have a copy on my phone.) Then start quoting Scripture
out loud or in your head. Memorization is one way that you can make sure that
you always have your Bible with you. Here are some great articles I have found
on Scripture memorization:
4)
My Love Letters from Jesus Journal
As I have shared in a previous
blog, I keep a journal where I write down “Love Letters” from Jesus. They are
usually Bible verses that I paraphrase and make them personal. For more
information on how to make one of your own, click here.
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