Excess Baggage

By Belinda

I wrote last week, in my post entitled Ponderings, about giving thought to who I choose to be as I enter a new decade of life.

Lightening my load and leaving negativity behind was one decision made. More often than I cared to admit, I allowed my mind to drift towards a negative thought; or a clouded moment to hang around too long. And I have shared negative things unnecessarily, thereby spreading the ripple to other souls.

These things are just so much excess baggage that I am offloading.

I am contemplating little mantra daily; a sort of pledge. I'll share it here again, expanded a bit:

I will not...
receive (welcome)
entertain (invite to pull up a seat and stay awhile)
maintain (give space to)
or retain (hold onto)...negative thoughts or words.

It amazes me how often, since I've been paying more attention, I have diverted negative thoughts, and words that were on the tip of my tongue. And I am sure that I will have plenty of continued opportunity to practice the forming of new habits to replace the old!

Here is more encouragement for my journey--and maybe yours too:
Philippians 4:4-8 (New International Version)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Comments

Marilyn Yocum said…
Most excellent goal, mantra, passage!

It takes this type of intentionality, I think. You will have victory in it, I know.

I have been dealing with a very specific problem related to negative SELF-talk, which is familiar to me due to my upbringing, but has increased in frequency and intensity the last few years. I went to see a specialist. I've not blogged about it yet (and may never) but I think the experience has given me some very useful insights and may be of use somewhere at some point (I mean beyond my own benefit). Anyway, I think going at these things with intentionality is so important.
8:13 AM
Belinda said…
Marilyn, I love how God uses our own battles redemptively, so that what the Enemy intended for evil, God uses for a greater good than just our own.

Yes, the intentionality factor is an important key to success.

May you experience freedom and blessing in your own steps of transformation.
10:23 AM
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