God's Promises as Waves

Prologue Do you ever struggle with thoughts that hold you captive? Thoughts that are so real and so scary they freeze and keep you from pursuing the things you deeply desire? What I've learned is that many of those thoughts that keep me from going after some of my dreams are merely that—thoughts! That never come true! A lot of them are related to wounds I experienced as a child. Like the many instances I was told I was super loud as a kid—leading me to question if I should speak up at times. Or when my family moved to a different country where I didn't speak the language and couldn't make any friends—making me doubt I was even wanted as a friend. Or when I made my first low grade on a test (a 55!) in 3rd grade—since then, no joke, I've feared taking tests and told myself I'm not a good test-taker. Sure, I have a loud voice. But ask any of the kids I've coached how clearly they could hear my instructions on the field! No, I didn't have any friends after moving to a different country. But the moment I learned the language, I made many friends! Maybe I'm not the best test-taker still. But that didn't stop me from going after my dream of getting a PhD, so I could help others love to learn too! Embracing me just the way I am, even the things I dislike about myself or wish I could change, can be a difficult task. But it always follows a pattern: head, heart, then mouth. The battle starts in my head as thoughts. Whichever thoughts (good or bad) win in my head, make their way to my heart, and become part of my belief system—things I believe are true about myself. The positive thoughts are great to have in my pool of belief systems; however, the bad ones, the lies that are deep-rooted in hurts, frustrations, or disappointments lead to self-doubt, fear, anxiety, and captivity. Finally, my belief system influences the things I say to and about myself as well as others. In Proverbs 4:23 (ICB), we find this warning: "be very careful about what you think. Your thoughts run your life." Additionally, Jesus taught us in Matthew 12:34 (NIV) that "the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” To speak uplifting words to and about myself, is a retrospective process that initiates in my mind. And to have a healthy mind, I've learned there are three daily things I must do: 1. accept who God says I am and created me to be-- a child of the King (Rom. 8:17, NLT), more than a conqueror (Rom. 8:37, NIV), beautifully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14, NIV) 2. apply and personalize God's promises in my life-- love God and love people (Matt. 22:37-39, NLT), go into all the world and preach the gospel (Mark 16:15, NIV) 3. take captive any stinkin' thinkin' that comes against those two things-- for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7, KJV) When I do those three things, I go after my dreams and tasks full throttle. On the other hand, the days I struggle with any of those... I don't. Because the battle starts in the mind (motivation), goes to the heart (belief), and ends on my lips (action).