Hello beloved child of God, I hope you’re fine by God’s grace and I hope you’ve been doing your homework.
Today we’re going further in our methods on how to replace negative thoughts which don’t align with Philippians 4:8.
Philippians 4:8 NIV
Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.
Today’s the fourth and last part of “Thought Replacement”. The last thought replacement method we will talk about is called “Imagining the worst”
Job 3:25 NIV
What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me.
Life is not a fairytale, and even in fairytales, difficult circumstances can pop up.
At times we dread the future so much, that we’re paralyzed, worried, anxious, and unable to act in any way.
Depression can often set in due to us imagining extremely negative things which most of the time never come to pass.
However, it is good that we realize that whatever happens, God is with us, He will never leave us nor forsake us. This assurance takes the fear away.
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
At times, to realize that everything will work together for our good if we love God whatever happens, requires us to imagine the worst and to understand that even if our worst fears come true, God will be with us and He’ll take us through it successfully.
Romans 8:28 NIV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Here’s an example
Example: Imagining The
Worst
Angela has not been in a romantic relationship for the past 20 years. 20 years ago, she was engaged with a man whom she deeply loved, but he left her at the altar on the day of their wedding. She later on was invited to his wedding with her cousin and so-called best friend. Since that painful separation, she’s had a number of casual dates but she intentionally focused on her job and her volunteering at church in order to keep her attention away from trying to develop a serious relationship. Now at age 40, Martha has fallen in love with someone special, and he feels the same way. He’s a Pastor, and a highly respected man at church, he’s kind, respectful and generous. He recently asked her to marry him, but she didn’t reply. Instead, she withdrew out of fear that things wouldn’t work, that he would change his mind and abandon her at the altar like her previous fiance did. She predicts that if she says yes to his proposal, he will ultimately reject her and she couldn’t stand that.
Angela identifies her most malicious thought as “I’d rather be alone forever than risk the pain of rejection again. I don’t think I could deal with that”
Her worst case scenario is that this man whom she loves dumps her at the altar just like her first fiance did.
Angela is now going to take the worst case scenario quiz.
Worst Case Scenario Quiz
1. Have I dealt with anything like this in the past?
Yes, when Andrew my first fiance abandoned me at the altar on our wedding day. It took me quite a while but I got through it. Today, I’m happy, I’ve found my joy in God.
2. How much will this affect my life a year from now?
If I say yes to his proposal and that he dumps me at the altar, people will laugh at me once again. All my friends who are already married and having kids with look at me with pity, I hate that look. One year from now I’ll be looking at our old pictures together and crying but it will probably be less that the day on which he would have dumped me. I would have started recovering and feeling better.
3. Do I know people who have coped with something like this, and how did they do it?
I know of a few men, who were dumped at the altar by their fiances but who recovered pretty well and are happily married now. They didn’t let it make them feel shameful because of that. They instead drew closer to God, remained open, caring and loving and God brought godly spouses in their lives.
4. Do I know anyone I could turn to for help and support?
I would turn to my parents, my friends and my Bible study group sisters if I were dumped at the altar once again.
5. Can I think of a creative new possibility that could result from this challenge?
Yeah, if were dumped at the altar once again, I would start a ministry for women who have been rejected by men. I would like to let them know that God loves them and that men’s rejection is God’s selection. I would like to comfort them as I was comforted in the fact that God loves me despite whoever rejects me. I would use what I went through as a way of blessing other women.
Now, Angela is ready to devise a more realistic replacement thought.
Angela’s replacement thought :
I’m ready to take the risk and say yes to his proposal. I love him and I want to spend the rest of my life with him but even if I get rejected or dumped at the altar once again, I will be able to handle it through Christ who strengthens me and God will make it work together for my good and for His glory.
Philippians 4:13 KJV
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Exercise: Imagine The Worst
Is there anything you’re afraid of right now? What’s your most malicious thought about it?
Imagine the worst case scenario, take the worst case scenario quiz (as above) and realize how much even if the worst happened, God would make it work together for your good and for His glory.
Now, replace your most malicious thought about it.
Now that we’ve finished with the four methods of thought replacement, put them in practice everyday, use them in your daily life and notice how it changes your mood and the way you approach life.
Prayer
Father Lord God Almighty King of Glory I thank You because whatever the case, I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me, and You make all things work together for my good, even what the devil intended for evil against me, You make it work together for my good and for Your glory, in Jesus Christ’s Name. Amen.
It’s Now Your Turn
Share about a time where you were rejected and how you recovered. Did this help you draw closer to God?
Please let us know in the comments section.
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Invitation
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God bless you
Victoria Eyog
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