Let’s just take a minute to get real. With each other and with ourselves…

This is something that’s been on my mind the last couple of weeks and just would not let me be until I wrote this post. It’s regarding the process of evaluating our hearts, minds and thoughts. I think the start of the New Year is what triggered it. I was thinking about the year ahead and the things I want to accomplish. I was evaluating my life, but then the Spirit spoke to me and asked me what I was doing to evaluate my heart.

I think it’s something that is healthy for us to do, to actually stop and take a good hard look into our thought processes and to be more intentional about what we think and how we act. Do you let just any old thought pop in there and run amok? (Amok, amok, amok!!) Unless you are evaluating your thoughts and sorting out the good ones from the bad, that’s what will happen. As a result darkness, chaos and disorder can start to set in.

So let’s delve a little deeper into how to go about doing this…

I just want to be honest here and say that before I let God step into my life, I used to have a much worse opinion of myself. My self esteem was terrible. There were a lot of things I went through growing up that made me that way, but with God’s help I am in a much better place these days. These are just a few things that have helped me get to where I am. Things that I hope may be helpful to some of you.

One of the first things He taught me was that I need to hold every thought captive to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5) EVERY. THOUGHT. Think about that for a minute. Our lives are a direct result of our thoughts. Thoughts become actions, and actions dictate where our lives go and the paths we choose. Every thought matters. Minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day…they all connect.

God wants us to have the best lives possible. We can only do that if we think good thoughts. Healthy thoughts. Loving thoughts. Thoughts that build ourselves and others up instead of tearing ourselves down. If it’s a thought that is negative about yourself or someone else, it doesn’t belong. Cast it out. If this seems difficult, pray for wisdom and strength. It’s never too late to turn things around. I know only because I’ve been there.

I’m not saying it will be easy. But it’s just like anything else, you will get better with practice. It needs to become a new system, and that takes time. Keep in mind that even as you do get better with it, you will never be perfect. But that’s ok! You weren’t meant to be. So go easy on yourself. God’s grace is abundant. Just keep moving forward in a positive direction.

Also, something I’ve learned is that we should all strive to be as authentic as possible. Are you the same person no matter who is around? You should be. Especially when no one is around at all! Be the same person at home as you are in public or online. No faking it. Never say you are going to do something unless you intend to do it. Honesty and integrity are so important! Say what you mean, and mean what you say.

Seek to spread love and positivity at all times. Remember, you reap what you sow. The more love and light you put out into the world, the more you will receive in return. Follow the golden rule. We live in an age where it is so easy to hide behind our computers and spew whatever negativity we think will get our point across. However, being right is not as important as being kind. You can get your point across civilly. Words can hurt just as much online as they can in real life. Words are powerful. Respect them.

Remember, our thoughts are one of the few things we can control in this world. Quite possibly, the only thing. We literally are what we think, so why not think the most of ourselves?! God made you and loves you so much. He wants you to love yourself, too! So go ahead, reevaluate your heart. Keep it real and be the best version of yourself you can be! You are amazing! Believe it. God bless, my friends! Much love.