Tuesday, May 24, 2011

go against the flow

Psychologist David Lieberman says....

"When your mind has nothing to focus on it divides against itself and creates a breeding ground for worries and anxieties.  Yet, once you get a clearly defined outside goal that you are passionate about these divisions cease.  When you have a clear-cut objective, you're in a better mood and your attention is clear and focused.  Suddenly the "little things" don't seem as important to you anymore.  You have perspective on what really matters. A mind with nothing to occupy it will turn against itself.  When we have nothing to focus our attention on our mind creates its own unrest and fears begin to take root."

We can back this teaching up with scripture....

 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
Romans 8:5-6

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:8

Is your life full of good, interesting, wholesome, passionate things that attract your time and focus?  Sometimes we get stuck in a cycle of doing the same thing, over and over, day in and day out. With no new outside "threat" to this cycle, our minds are denied the stimulation that expands our thinking and gives us new perspective. If you feel like your life is really small, ask God to open it up with new activities, hobbies, work, projects, relationships, etc., that would keep you positively focused and balanced. Our sin nature will always have a downward pull toward negativity.  Like a salmon fighting the current, we can swim upstream into new, exciting waters.  Don't be afraid to go against the flow.  Step outside of your comfort zone. Try something new. Yes, it may take some effort and courage, but the results are far more beneficial than stifling away in a stagnant pond with smelly dead fish.

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