I have an idea that I think will really stimulate your thinking.
What if we could pre-play the future that God wants to manifest rather than replaying the moments when things didn’t work out?
One of the defining pieces of armor in the Christian arsenal is the helmet of salvation. “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17) This helmet has a few key characteristics. Its primary purpose is to protect your mind—your thought life. Satan has a mind and so do the minions of malicious spirits that do his bidding. Their task is to penetrate your thought life. The helmet is referred to as a helmet of “hope” in 1 Thessalonians 5:1. This could be described as the supernatural ability to keep a tightly insulated thought life against all intruding toxic thoughts and faith-robbing negativity.
Individuals who keep their helmets firm have trained themselves to avoid self-sabotaging self-talk as they partner with God in His plans and promises for their present and future.
What are some ways you can prevent self-sabotage?
1. Record. You would be surprised at how many sacred moments occur in a 24-hour period. You will discover the significance of these experiences by making it a habit to review them at the end of the day. I have a journal that I carry everywhere. I encourage you to get a journal and take time to record these daily miracles as reference experiences for when you’re encountering a new challenge. Too frequently, we miss those God-moments that, whether they seem large or small, are truly sensational.
2. Rehearse. Remind yourself of who God is. Look upon the whole of your life and one word about God will stand out—His faithfulness! Replay every victory you’ve ever had before you make a critical decision. Do this on purpose, because if you’re not careful, without a helmet to intercept them, you’ll start replaying the tape of what has gone wrong in the past. If you yield to negative thinking you’ll focus on what went wrong. This will sabotage the results you want to see.
3. Pre-play. The brain is a fascinating thing. Under the helmet of hope, you can protect your thoughts from self-sabotage by pre-playing what God wants to do in the future. This is possible by loading up your thought life with times when things went brilliantly. Your imagination is a tool given by God. Use it to rehearse what you believe God wants to do. Mental rehearsal is the discipline of Olympic champions and miracle workers alike. Keep a visual image of what you’re aiming for—the outcome the Bible promises. Do this and watch what happens.
What are some daily habits you employ to stay positive and focused in your life?
As One,
Lance Wallnau