The Book of Proverbs
Part 14
Being Honest with Yourself
“Negative & Positive Self-Talk”
Conversations in our minds is often called “Self-Talk”
(Either Positive or Negative)
1. After awhile they become facts to us
(consciously or unconsciously).
2. They shape our beliefs and influence our emotions.
Note: “Negative Self-Talk Statements” can be made with a variety of different emotions.
“I can’t do anything right.”
“Oh no, not again.”
“I knew it.”
“I can’t believe it.”
Murphy’s Law
[Neg. Self-Talk]
Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.
Q: What would life look like if we lived opposite of Murphy’s Law?
"Everything that can work, will work."
And if it doesn’t (and if we did nothing wrong) then we accept it as God’s will.
“When they [JC, Peter, John, James from Transfiguration] came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. [Probably over why they weren’t able to help the boy] 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. 16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. 17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” 20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” 23 “If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
“If you can?”
If
[Is it even possible since it has not been for years?]
You
[Disciples could not]
Can
[Does Jesus have the power/authority]
23 “If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, [Yelling out] “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
[Unbelief = Weak faith]
[I DO have faith, but it is WEAK]
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked [with severity] the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. 28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”
-Mark 9:14-29
Facts
You are God’s child.
You are a brother or sister of Jesus.
You are forgiven.
You have meaning & purpose.
You have the assurance of heaven.
You have Jesus with you always.
Q: How has your faith weakened after something had not worked out?
Benefits of “Christian Self-Talk”
Assurance
Confidence
Motivation
It can change your view of the world from
Hostile to Hospitable,
from Negative to Realistic,
from Weakened faith to Strengthened faith.
Faith is living opposite of Murphy’s Law
Q: What would life look like if we lived opposite of Murphy’s Law?
"Everything that can work, will work.”
And if it doesn’t (and if we did nothing wrong) then we accept it as God’s will.
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