Renee Descartes ( XVII Century )
devoted his life to uncover the clear and indubitable
truth . He systematically doubted everything. To doubt everything
is to think. He then reasoned that if he was thinking , surely he existed.
Hence the phrase that defines the thinking of Descartes : "I think, therefore I
am" .
Marco Aurelio was another thinker.
He was a Roman Emperor around 170 A.D. He also sought the truth . He discovered
that human emotions are not just random products of circumstances , they are
determined by the way you think. So, where Descartes said: "I think, therefore I
am". Marco Aurelio would have said, "I think and so I determine my personality
".
"For as he thinks within himself, so he
is." Prov. 23:7
We are creatures full of mental
energy, emotional and physical. When we clear the irrationalities and lies of
our thoughts and replace them with the truth we can live a satisfying life.
A life that is rich and emotionally fulfilling.
Jesus
said "I am the truth", and also
"you will know the truth, and the truth will make you
free".
The cause of our feelings is not
necessarily those childhood or
current experiences. Our feelings are caused by
what we tell ourselves about our circumstances. It can be words or attitudes.
What we tell ourselves can be true or false. If you repeat to yourself:
“I'm a fool" or “I do nothing well”,
you will start to believe it and you will act accordingly.
Erroneous beliefs are the direct
cause of emotional storms , maladaptive behavior , and most so-called "mental
illness". Erroneous beliefs usually appear as true for the person who is
repeating them to him/herself. This is because there is almost always some truth
in it and because the sufferer doesn't examine or question these assumptions.
But we must realize that if it is a lie, it comes from hell and it is instilled
in our minds by the devil himself. He does not want to risk being discovered, so
he makes the lies look like truth to us. Words like: "I can not do anything
right”, or “I always do " are good examples. You'll be more
vulnerable to believe these statements, specially after making a
mistake.
James 3:15 tells us where this self
destructive conversation comes from. "That is
not the wisdom that comes from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual
devilish." Negative and distorted statements
that a person repeats, comes from the devil. Our immature nature accepts it
without questioning and then, as spoiled food, these words create mental poison,
painful emotional aches and pains. This deadly toxins diet ends up killing you.
Paul says, "The mind of sinful man is
death..." (Rom.8:6). God wants us to be able to have
control over our feelings and our actions.
1. Misbelief: I must
please people . My actions should not displease others or make them to
disapprove me. This would be intolerable.
TRUTH: A healthy
person does not have to fight for the approval of all those around
him/her.
2. Misbelief: It would
be terrible if nobody speaks to me at a social gathering. It would be terrible
to be selfconcious and nervous.
TRUTH: I can
enjoy wherever I go. I do not necessarily have to have someone to talk to, to
have a nice time. Being by myself is not going to kill me.
3. Misbelief: Others
may be happy, others may experience God, others may change their beliefs, others
can be free of anxiety, depression and anger, but not me.
TRUTH: I can
change my emotions like everybody else. I can adapt and be happy no matter the
experience or circumstances in which I find myself . I can do it!
Homework:
If you find yourself repeating similar misbeliefs, try to find the Truth that
answers to that lie. Repeat the truth instead of your misbelief every time you
remember it until the truth becomes part of your normal thinking.
Definition of
happiness
Cheerful. Grateful.
Friendly. Kind. Connected. With a clear mind.
Free to serve without
unresolved outstanding issues.
Motivated to grow.
Inspired. Inspiring. Generous. Laughing.
Able to play and live
in the present.
To be happy I must be
at peace with God, with others and with myself.
Daniel Martin
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