Combat Negative Thoughts: Gratitude and Prayer

Now, this is one I’m an expert on.

I tend to max mountains out of molehills and look at the worst case scenario as a possibility.

How do I fight it?

I’ve two weapons.

Weapon 1 – Be thankful. Look at what you do have. Here’s a few for me:

• I’ve got food in my stomach. Maybe it isn’t steak, but it’s more than a lot of people have
• I’ve got my health. I still move and act like a man half my age.
• I’ve got a wife who loves me. Don’t ask me why, but she does.
• I’ve got children who love me.
• I’ve got a Puppy Dog who thinks I’m awesome and likes to bite me.
• I’ve got work. Maybe it’s not in IT, but it keeps the lights on.
• I’ve got the skills to have that job. While almost anyone could do it, the fact I know how is an advantage.
• I’ve got friends. Maybe not dozens, but friends I can count on.
• I’ve got a God who’s nuts about me. ‘Nuff said.
• I’ve got a bed to wake up in. Again, more than a lot of the human race has.
• That I woke up this AM at all!

Weapon 2- Prayer. Knowing I make mountains out of molehills, I pray against that.

• That I will know when I see the negative thoughts and see them for what they are.
• I declare blessings over myself
• That It’s all going to work out. If God is for me, who can be against me.

I’ve come to realize that The Lord’s Prayer is a cornerstone of my day. I didn’t use to pray it thinking it was a prayer that wse tend to give lip service to. Pray it with my heart reminds me:

• Who’s in charge here. Suprise! It’s not me.
• That, as the preamble to my favorite video concerning it says, it’s a prayer of surrender and strength.
• That I’m not in this alone.
• I am loved.
• I am protected.
• I am provided for.
• Best of all. I’m seen and heard by the Maker of All Things.

I’ve posted this link before, but hey. When it’s awesome, it’s awesome.