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Every minute of your waking day, your brain is working overtime. Current research indicates that the average person has anywhere from thirty to fifty different thoughts every minute. This translates to tens of thousands of thoughts daily.
Many of these thoughts are simple, active thoughts, such as I’m going to get some more coffee. But others may be having a deeply negative impact on your emotional and spiritual health.
For example, you may occasionally think something like, I’m a nobody. There’s nothing significant about my life at all. Long term, thoughts such as these will lead to deep depression. As such, taking the opportunity to remind yourself of key scriptural truths like, I have been created by God, in the image of God, for the glory of God, are a healthy reminder that God sees you as significant.
On the other end of the spectrum, you may see somebody struggling with a deep addiction and think, I know I make mistakes, but at least I’m not as bad as others. These kinds of thoughts also go against the teachings of Jesus. Over time, they’ll lead to pride, a lack of contrition, a lifestyle of living in denial, and an unwillingness to practice confession.
READING & PRAYERS:
LUKE 18:9-14, PROVERBS 28:13, JAMES 5:16 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: When is the last time you confessed something you were struggling with to a trusted person or a Group of people? (e.g., I’m bitter, I’m ashamed, I’m hurt, I’m struggling with an addiction, I’m depressed, etc.)
DIGGING DEEPER: What may be some things that are getting in the way of you being open, vulnerable, and in a word, real with others you interact with? Could it be that you’re struggling with pride, a lack of contrition, are living in denial, or something else?
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I recognize my need to see myself as you see me – one who is deeply and profoundly loved by You. However, I don’t want to fall into the temptation to see myself as better than others. Lead me to see my sins and errors for what they are, and help me to be open and honest about each and every one of my struggles with others I can trust. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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