Recently, while flying on an airplane, when I realized I had misplaced my earbuds, I decided to read an article in a magazine. The author was referencing a conversation with a friend that triggered a memory of a conversation I had with a friend twenty years ago. I don’t know about you, but I can hardly remember the conversations I’ve had this week, let alone what I ate earlier today. So, to remember a conversation, or rather a statement she said that long ago, you know it must’ve had a powerful impact on me, and that, it certainly did.
You see, due to several circumstances that were happening at that time, I was hit with a wave of fear that caused a rush of anxiety and confusion to rise up within me. If you’ve heard or read my story, you are aware the Lord has since delivered me from living in bondage to fear and I no longer suffer from anxiety as He has healed my mind.
But the memory that surfaced a few weeks ago was about that time when I was in the middle of suffering from sudden irrational fears that were keeping me in a mental prison so to speak. Perhaps you know what I am talking about. BUT GOD GAVE ME A FRIEND to come alongside me to GIVE ME A GIFT of a NEW THOUGHT that helped pull me out of the episode of fear I was having and to remind me of the power of our thoughts that can DELIVER GOOD to our souls. I had to replace some negative ideas.
She said, “Instead of saying, ‘What IF (insert thoughts rooted in fear)‘ you replace it with, ‘WHAT IF…HAPPY?”
At first, I didn’t understand. Then, she decided to give me a real life example. Though she was aware that Greg was bringing me flowers that day, I was not, and she used it to help me to consider a new thought. She countered my “fear thought” I was having with this thought, “What if happy? Like, what if Greg walks through that door in a little while with a bouquet of flowers?” When he did, she gave me a smile and a knowing wink but I got her point. Just because we think something bad will happen, does not mean it will and usually it does not. However, we can work ourselves up and cause bad to happen to our body, heart and mind as we worry, fear and experience anxiety.
There’s Good News found in Philippians 4:6-7, “The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Many of us often say, “What’s the worst thing that could happen?” — even when we are not being fearful. We hear it all the time. The article I read on the airplane suggested we flip that phrase around and say something like, “What is the BEST thing that could happen?” And when I read that, I was instantly reminded of “What IF Happy?” Then an ironic thing happened. A few days later, that same dear friend was sharing a circumstance she was going through, and I said, “Someone wise gave me some great advice. It helped me to turn my thoughts from the worst to the best and ask myself, ‘What IF happy?” This time it was me grinning and winking, and we had a great laugh!
What are some happy thoughts you might refer to when you need them?
Read this list … and when necessary…put it to the test!
Perhaps you might also enjoy gazing at these lovely Dahlia’s in Oregon. I took this picture on my recent trip. Whatever is LOVELY…THINK upon such things!
Listen! What do you hear God speaking to you?
GOOD NEWS from the Word of God:
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Suzanne: He Reveals to Heal!
Greg: Keep Faith’n it!
Greg & Suzanne Grimaud,
Authors – Speakers – Coaches