This chapter ministered to me greatly, but there were several things that convicted me, reminded me of God’s love for me, and cautioned me against maintaining faulty thinking. I will list each item one by one.
Labels
Jennifer points out that the labels we assign ourselves can be detrimental, if they bear negative rather than positive nuances. There are some things that we cannot change about our circumstances, but we should not see those things as punishment from God. We can see them as a means to trust in God in a greater way. Jennifer used Naomi as an example of one whose label bore a negative nuance rather than a positive one. Naomi labeled herself as “bitter” and “empty” because she had lost her husband and two sons. However, what she did not know was that God had not forgotten her—He was very much aware of her circumstance. He had made plans for Boaz to be her redeemer. In the end, Naomi became the great-great-grandmother of David and was in the lineage of Jesus (cf. Ruth 4:17; Matt 1:5). She died full, rather than empty. How often I viewed my challenging situations as debilitative, rather than restorative. God is a Restorer and He gets no delight in taking things away from us, unless those things have become hindrances in our life. Whatever He takes away, He replaces with something better.
Mind Choice
Jennifer states, “Choosing to believe just one stinky thought will pollute our thought closets.” I could not agree more. I had to stop and ponder this truth. I felt like running to my chair and start typing away, but the problem was that I did not have enough time to do so. Our thoughts do determine what we become as we go through each day. How often have I programmed a wrong thought into my mind? Too often. In the past, I allowed unbelief and doubt to nest in my thoughts, leaving me faithless and downcast. That is not what God wants me to do. I am to take every thought captive (cf. 2 Cor 10:4-6)) and use Phil 4:8 (Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.) to assess my thinking. Meditating on Scripture has helped me to renew my mind and tidy up my thought closet. While I am continuing to grow in this area, I am more aware of the active part I need to play in providing effective thought oversight. I am no longer passively letting thoughts swim through my thought-pond; now, I have a sifter to grab hold of untrue thoughts and haul them out of mind before they have a chance to pollute.
Phony Bologna
Jennifer cautions us not to become like the Pharisees who are known for their double talk. Jesus called them hypocrites. He said they were like whitewashed tombs (cf. Matt 23:27-28). Tombs housed dead bodies, hence, He was likening them to graves. They looked good and clean on the outside, but were rotten and stink on the inside. They were not real at all. They were prejudiced, self-righteous, self-centered, harsh, judgmental, and unloving. They did not have the Father’s heart of compassion and mercy. As I read about the Pharisees, I am once again reminded of how imperative it is to be authentic. I am to be Christ-like at home, at the gym, when I am shopping, and while I tutor the students I so dearly love. I have to strive to be holy. I thank God for the Holy Spirit’s help as I live each day. Some days, I do better than others, but I strive to be like Christ.