Pastor Andrew continued our series "Self-Inflicted" with a powerful message titled "I’m Driving Me Crazy." It is so easy to think that other people or external circumstances are the excuse as to why we face obstacles in our lives. But the greatest challenge is the battlefield of the mind. Our mind can deceive us into thinking we are far worse than we really are. This is not to undermine the painful experiences of our lives but to challenge us to think more intentionally about our thoughts during difficult times.
The emotional turmoil we experience can sometimes be more intense in our minds than in reality. It's crucial not to overreact and be mindful of the choices we make during life's challenging moments. The chaos might feel overwhelming, but it's essential not to let it dictate our responses. You know when your mind is getting the best of you when you are consumed with worry, not able to be yourself, or your actions reflect that of anxiety, fear, or doubt. It is in these moments our mind begins to whisper thoughts that can result in destruction. These whispers often carry thoughts that don't align with God's plan for our lives. They infiltrate our minds through external influences, the enemy, but most significantly, through our own self-talk. So, how do we navigate through this? We acknowledge that our mind is a powerful tool that can be used to heal, grow, and transform our lives! This is good news. We can determine the outcome of our lives by taking control of our thoughts and realigning them with the truth of God’s word.
Remember, the loudest whispers are often the ones we say to ourselves. It's time to filter out the thoughts that don't serve us and align ourselves with what God truly desires for our lives. How, then, should we navigate these voices? Here are some ways to quiet the noise in your life and hear what God has to say.
When it comes to……
- Other people: minimize their influence (not their value).
- The enemy: read the bible and repeat scripture over your life.
- You - lean not on your own understanding, read scriptures based on the promises of God, and break a sweat (get active and move your body).
Sermon Scriptures:
- Proverbs 26:20-22
- 1 Samuel 18:6-12
Additional Scriptures to Explore:
- James 3:6
- 1 John 4:18
Big Idea: The chaos that you feel will always be driven more by what is happening in your mind than what is happening in your circumstances.
Reflective questions for the week:
- What thoughts have you allowed to run rampant in your mind recently? Write these thoughts down. Then, reframe these thoughts by writing down a statement of truth that is in alignment with what God says about you.
- In what ways (other people, the enemy, or you) are you most negatively impacted by your thought life?
- What is one thing you could do this week to help you take every thought captive? Describe this in detail, find accountability, and put it into practice.
- Share the negative statement you are letting go of this week with a trusted friend/mentor/City Group Leader, and share with them the powerful statement of truth that you are declaring over your life.
Statements to declare over your life:
- MY THOUGHTS MUST COME INTO ALIGNMENT WITH WHAT CHRIST SAYS ABOUT ME.
- I CAN CONTROL MY MIND.
- I HAVE POWER THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT TO SURRENDER MY THOUGHTS TO CHRIST.
- MY EYES ARE ON JESUS AND HIS WORD.
- I AM NO LONGER A SLAVE TO FEAR. I AM A CHILD OF GOD.
