Talking to myself
This post by Paul Tripp was emailed to me by my DH; it was very convicting to me, because I know that I am often ungracious towards myself in what I tell myself about me and about God. I need to work on this, but it's such an ingrained habit, so it will be a long struggle to overcome it. How do you deal with negative self-talk? Suggestions are welcome....
posted by Elisabeth | 6:54 AM
2 Comments:
I had a counselor once tell me I was "catastrophizing." I love that word. But basically it means that something small goes wrong and in your brain you automatically jump to the worst possible conclusion. For example, one day I smelled a horrible smell in my little kitchen on top Lookout Mountain. This is when I was working at Covenant and living alone. I had an adorable little condo that I painted all bright colors and I loved it. Anyway, I smelled something awful and after tracking it down to the kitchen and the trash I ended up finding mold in the bottom of the trashcan. Being raised in a ridiculously dry climate I had rarely seen mold and spotting it in my own trashcan made me so appalled. My first thought was, "Oh, my gosh, how long has it been since I emptied the trash?" Then, "Where else is mold in my house?" Then, "Oh, my gosh, my whole house it a moldy mess!" Then, "If I didn't have to work so hard I could have time to take care of my home!" Then, "I so much rather stay at home and take care of my home but I'm not married so I have no one to support me so I have to work hard and can't find time to clean my house!"
In the end I was blaming the mold on the fact that I had no husband. How crazy is that?
Anyway, if you find yourself "catastrophizing" here is my advice. Just clean out the trashcan, take a deep breath and thank God that the mold is gone now.
I've also found that listening to music that "preaches the gospel" to me helps my mind in idle moments to focus on what is true, right, pure, lovely, etc.
Some of my favorites are Amy Grant's Hymn CDs, anything by Sara Groves, Nichole Nordeman, Ginny Owens, and Sandra McCracken.
Heather, I catastrophize, too! It's so easy to slide down the slipery slope of jumping to the worst conclusion. Thanks for the music suggestions! I sometimes sing through my hymnal late at night when I'm feeling depressed, and I usually end up crying, because I know that my attitude is so wrong, but then I always feel better. I need to start singing and listening more during the day. So glad God gave us music!
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