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On Thursday’s blogtalkradio program hosted by Greg Stewart, he and I talked a lot about the relationship between the mind – our words and thoughts (self-talk) – and our spirituality – our relationship with God.
One of the concepts we spoke about was the practice of utilizing the affirmation (statement of fact or belief) process to convert our negative or mediocre thoughts into positive, emotional present-tense sentences. Through this practice, we can not only raise our own self-esteem and performance levels, but we can convert ourselves into individuals who are great at increasing the collective self-esteem of the groups to which we belong – family, church, work, etc.
One of the practices that I’ve been making use of for many years is to convert the positive thoughts, traits, and habits that I read, hear or notice in other people – that I wish to assimilate into my own being – into affirmations.
While reading scripture this morning, several concepts that I was reading seemed to jump-off the pages as perfect examples of how to integrate faith with the mind.
In Philippians, Paul says “Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication (to make a humble request of) with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
I’ve converted those lines from scripture into the following affirmations:
I am in a state of peace at all times because I know that God is with me in each of my thoughts and actions.
I humbly share all of my concerns, fears and anxieties with God and feel confident knowing that my always thankful prayers are heard and will be answered.
There are so many places for you and I to improve ourselves and become the types of people that we’re capable of becoming -it’s incredible! When we focus our minds and awareness on our desire to improve, the answers seem to spring up from everywhere – literally!
When we tell ourselves that there is “no hope”, that’s exactly what we receive. When we tell ourselves that the answers always exist and that there is always hope, miraculously we bring into our lives all that is good and wonderful.
In the very next paragraph within the same Chapter of Philippians 4, Paul says the following: “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Paul said it and it makes great sense to me so, I’m going to do it!
How many great traits could we assimilate into ourselves by utilizing the affirmation process from just that one sentence?
I look for the truth in each circumstance. I am patient and kind with myself and others while constantly searching for my own truth.
It’s easy for me to act in a dignified, gracious and honorable manner at all times.
I treat each person that I meet with dignity and respect and feel confident knowing that justice is always served in my presence.
I fill my mind, heart and soul with thoughts of all that is pure and lovely and give thanks to God for the beauty that is found in my wife, my children, my family and throughout all of humanity and nature.
In each act that I perform on a daily basis, I perform it with excellence in mind.
It’s exceptionally easy for me to give sincere praise to the people around me. I am blessed to be surrounded by competent, loving people who are all living life to the best of their capabilities at all times.
Our minds, bodies and souls (spirits) are all part of the package that makes up our being. The mind, body and spirit are all inextricably connected. We use our minds to come to know our true spiritual self. We use our minds to develop our relationship with God. When our thoughts and actions become one with God’s our bodies take on a new posture of confidence and hope and love.
The great spiritual and inspirational writers have done their work by providing us with their words and the inspired words of God in written and audio format. It’s now our choice as to how much of this wisdom and knowledge we’d like to truly make our own.
