Thinking Too Much?

It was my own heavy sigh that startled me. Until that moment I wasn’t fully aware that I was literally having an imaginary back and forth conversation with this other person. I was far too busy saying what I felt needed to be said. Someone needed to tell this person how the cow eats the cabbage and I had apparently nominated myself for the job. Miss Thang needed to know how hurtful her words were. Things had been going quite well in my imaginary conversation, too– up until I heard myself sigh deeply at her response. That was quite the eye opening moment. I was expressing my frustration over something the other person was saying, only I was the one writing her dialogue.

Now, before anyone decides I should be medicated, let’s have a little come to Jesus meeting.

The truth is, I just say these things aloud, folks. We can all fall prey to playing out such scenarios. Take an inventory of your own thought life and see if I’m not telling it straight.

It’s why I tell Jesus on a regular basis that I can’t be trusted to be alone with my thoughts. They have a blasted tendency of deteriorating. I used to want “me time” in my head, apart from my devotional life, and apart from anyone else on the planet. I just wanted quiet time for me with me. I now know that such isolation is a trap waiting to spring. Jesus has taught me that I need Him all day, every day. And when I realize that my thought life is crowding Him out, I invite Him right back in.

The Good Book says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”

Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying it’s wrong to feel anger, sadness, grief, or any other painful emotion. I’m just asking us all to remember that indulging such feelings to the exclusion of God is an emotional death spiral. Instead, ask Jesus to help you recognize these moments and choose life!