The venom is your thoughts: “if only I had done this,” “what could I have done better,” “I should have done it this way,” “maybe if I had done more,” or “if I would have done this, then that could have happened;” these thoughts paralyze your momentum in life. It poisons your mind into thinking you cannot undo the wrong you have done. It poisons the mind into thinking you are never good enough.
Our thoughts can build us up or tear us down. How was your 2011 year? Are there thoughts of should haves, could haves, and if onlys that stymied you from potential growth? You are not alone in your thoughts. The venom that spreads is an illusion that we are alone; it is like a lion that cuts out the weakest animal.
How can you make 2012 a better year? It is not done by new resolutions. It is done by creating anti-venom to combat those negative and self-defeating thoughts. You already possess the power deep within to make this year better than the last.
First, recognize your past is gone. You cannot undo the past; you need to live in the present in such a way to positively affect your future. How? You may have a bad relationship that seems bound to stay the course. Do something different and unexpected to heal that relationship. Perhaps, you have mistaken their motives and actions by a venomous thought. Maybe, you have done the wrong, when you feel right, and that has caused you to lose focus. Sometimes venom has a way of causing us to become delusional in our thinking or lose our sight.
Second, understand what Christ spoke about being “wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Think about the Garden of Eden and how the serpent was wise in his choice of words. It does not mean to trick others with words; it means you must carefully choose what you say to yourself. You can get caught up in the moment and forget the original thought that was spoken. God expressed to mankind not to eat of the tree and yet Eve, through her thoughts, added not to touch it. It is easy to add more thoughts and tell yourself a story.
Third, captivate those thoughts and make them obedient. If you feel you are not worthy, then captivate that thought. Investigate that thought with truth. Did you internalize someone else’s words, adding to your thoughts and creating false ideas? Take the time to step out of the forest and look at the facts.
Year 2012 can be a very good year. Think about it. Pray about it. Set up a few goals that are reachable. When crises hits, when thoughts want to derail you, take your time be like that dove and innocently process your thoughts. You can use these column headings to help out. Here is an example someone shared with me:
I feel -- trapped, no way out.
My thought: -- I felt trapped, no way out, like he is improving and I'll have to be stuck in this cage forever. He will always have some little thing that he is doing to make it better (even though it's always short term with no lasting impact), and I will always appear like the one who is unjustly and meanly walking away. Perhaps my thinking is delusional.
My Reaction: -- To Withdraw
The Truth: -- If I seek God and work towards bringing my life into alignment with Scripture, I do not need to worry about what other people, including my husband, might think of my actions. Christ sets me free, I am a child of God, not a slave, adopted and loved and He has provided people in my life that are not self-focused.
Working through your thoughts can help you come out of the forest and see the actual trees. You are a valuable person. This New Year 2012 be thoughtful and remember sometimes our situations are not always the worst. It is your venomous thoughts that paralyze your momentum while striving to do the best. Work through them with truth, be careful not to tell yourself a story and seize the day with good thoughts and actions. May this New 2012 Year be prosperous and productive! It is always good to reach out and to talk to someone.
By Faith (Forging Attitude In Trusting Him).
