A few years after we got married, I asked my husband what he wanted from me as a wife. My precious guy thought for a while, then said, “Happy, healthy, and rested.”
I’ve felt happy but tired. I’ve enjoyed happiness and rest in other seasons but suffered from various ailments. I want to be happy, healthy, and rested every day.
The most difficult of these three for me is to stay. As I practiced taking charge of my thoughts, I learned to see my circumstances more positively. Most of the time now, I feel happy about my life.
Happiness is a Choice
Some say we choose happiness, but I’ve fought to find joy or contentment. Fears and anxieties plagued me, hindering any positive outlook.
I had painful memories that attempted to steal my joy. I desperately needed to overcome harmful thought patterns and negative self-talk.
Controlling Our Thoughts
Whenever my thoughts race out of control, I claim the promises below to focus on the truth again. As we confront our thoughts with God’s Word, we find the power to change our thought patterns.
Do anxieties and fears plague you? Then, follow these steps to reduce your stress.
- Acknowledge – Identify the fear, face it, and turn it over to God. —2 Timothy 1:7
- Pray – God is always with you and answers your prayers. —Psalm 118:5-6
- Surrender – Stop trying to take responsibility for situations beyond your control. —1 Peter 5:7
- Trust – God knows what He’s doing and is working His plan in your life. —Jeremiah 29:11
Practice Makes Perfect
It seems I get one negative thought pattern corralled when another jumps in to take its place. So, I repeat the process and attack the next set of thoughts, comparing each to the truth of God’s Word.
Continue to practice the steps to reduce or eliminate your fears and anxieties. Over time, it becomes easier for us to catch and control the troublesome thoughts.
