(author's words quoted in blue)Reading this chapter, I am face to face with some thoughts that need to come out of my "Thought Closet." Although I have not experienced labels in the same way the example, Dennis, did, I have been called a few things that; although might have some truth to them, they were destructive and hurtful. Truth is, they still swim around in my head, and even though I know my behavior might sometimes reflect those words, but it doesn't mean that I AM that.
So........
this chapter has caused me to think about the difference.
It seems that when the words come from someone that we believe loves us, they might stick around easier. And if they come from myself, well, then I have the tendency to think they have to be true, after all, I know myself better than anybody...or do I?
I love what Jennifer says here,
"Until you choose to bring that out-of-place label into the light and make it line up with truth, it will control you. Instead of wearing it as a label, choose now to label it with the truth."
So, when I make a mistake, I am not an "idiot". I made a mistake.
When I make a decision that is based on meeting my own needs, I am not "selfish", I made a selfish choice.
I am the workmanship of God.
Confess.
Try again.
Rely on Him.
I love, love, love the conversation with Marilyn Meberg. She has been one of my favorite authors and speakers for well over a decade and her wisdom always strikes the right chord for me. No exception in what she is quoted as having said here,
"Oh, sometimes I need the correction. Sometimes I need the discipline. Sometimes I need to own the truth. That's instruction. That's good for me. That builds me up. But when I feel condemned, like I'm not good enough, that's not instructive. That's destructive. Instruction brings life, condemnation brings destruction."
Amen to that.
Jennifer follows that comment with these words,
It seems that when the words come from someone that we believe loves us, they might stick around easier. And if they come from myself, well, then I have the tendency to think they have to be true, after all, I know myself better than anybody...or do I?
I love what Jennifer says here,
"Until you choose to bring that out-of-place label into the light and make it line up with truth, it will control you. Instead of wearing it as a label, choose now to label it with the truth."
So, when I make a mistake, I am not an "idiot". I made a mistake.
When I make a decision that is based on meeting my own needs, I am not "selfish", I made a selfish choice.
I am the workmanship of God.
Confess.
Try again.
Rely on Him.
I love, love, love the conversation with Marilyn Meberg. She has been one of my favorite authors and speakers for well over a decade and her wisdom always strikes the right chord for me. No exception in what she is quoted as having said here,
"Oh, sometimes I need the correction. Sometimes I need the discipline. Sometimes I need to own the truth. That's instruction. That's good for me. That builds me up. But when I feel condemned, like I'm not good enough, that's not instructive. That's destructive. Instruction brings life, condemnation brings destruction."
Amen to that.
Jennifer follows that comment with these words,
"Wise, truthful words are never harsh or unkind. They are gracious. Wise and truthful words are never wimpy or without power. They have authority."
That's the difference!
Hold up all those words and labels to the truth, God's truth.
That's the difference.
"You can't remove those hurtful thoughts, words, and memories, but by the power of God, you can drain them of their potential control over you."
So, the closet cleaning gets a little deeper.
Some of the memories that are attached to the things in this closet are painful and I might even be reluctant to throw them out.
But God has much better waiting. When I give Him all the old stuff, He will give me new, even better and prettier - even more useful - replacements.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17
For more posts on Self Talk Soul Talk
visit
Write From the Heart
Lelia's Blog
That's the difference.
"You can't remove those hurtful thoughts, words, and memories, but by the power of God, you can drain them of their potential control over you."
So, the closet cleaning gets a little deeper.
Some of the memories that are attached to the things in this closet are painful and I might even be reluctant to throw them out.
But God has much better waiting. When I give Him all the old stuff, He will give me new, even better and prettier - even more useful - replacements.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17
For more posts on Self Talk Soul Talkvisit
Write From the Heart
Lelia's Blog
Comments
I couldn't agree more.
"But God has much better waiting. When I give Him all the old stuff, He will give me new, even better and prettier - even more useful - replacements."
He is really doing a work through this study. And we're only on chapter two!
I can't wait to go even deeper!
I like what Marily had to say also.
Love, love, love this:
"Wise, truthful words are never harsh or unkind. They are gracious. Wise and truthful words are never wimpy or without power. They have authority."
I'm so excited to see what we have in Chapter 3.
Love ya,
Carol
Love
Lelia
That part of Confess...I get that so well...I'm still confessing and confessing and it's like..."my grace is sufficient for you...now get up and be on your way ...try again and RELY ON ME...!"
Thank you for that reminder. Nothing worse than getting stuck in confession. If I were Catholic they would probably lock the confessional when they see me coming!
I hope that doesn't offend anyone...I meant it in a nice way :-)
Love,
Teri
(I went back to my site and updated email info. I am still in the midst of much to learn in the blogging world.) :)