Shaun Groves
What we believe and feel and think determines our actions. Some say it always works this way. I’m not so sure.
James said our tongue can steer our whole life, like a rudder steers a ship.
Hebrews believed that bowing the body in worship also bowed the heart.
Jesus said when I place my treasure in one spot my heart is set there also.
Smiling triggers chemicals in the brain that boost mood.
Altruism kicks off a reward in the brain, spilling a little seratonin, making sacrifice more attractive to us in the future.
A person who says “I can’t” or “I’m stupid” out loud may start to believe it, dislike themselves and have a harder time enjoying whatever they’re doing.
So I just warned my five year-old to stop saying mean things to herself this morning or she’ll lose a privilege – just like she does when she’s mean to someone else.
And we just hatched a plan to get our second and third grade Sunday school class involved in buying a water buffalo or some chickens for a family in the third world this Christmas.
And, though I really don’t want to hit the road again later today, I’m smiling. Faking it, to be honest. But maybe not for long.
Because what we do can change how we feel, think and believe. And I could use a change. Could you?
JessicaB says:
I think the best response to this, is a yellow ping-ponged smile.
So, here goes.
:DDDDDDDD
JessicaB says:
Or a yellow ping-ponged smile chased by some captial D’s.
Whichevs.
Lisa Smith @stretchmarkmama says:
Well, the “Ds” boosted my mood, so thanks.
JessicaB says:
Glad I could speak some positive capital D’s into someone’s life. 😉
Adam Shields says:
There is a very good chapter in Eugene Peterson’s book “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction” about this.
The quote (my paraphrase) is ”We can act ourselves into feeling. We shouldn’t worship only when we feel like it. The bible never says, worship when you feel like it. Instead it says to worship. The act of worship will bring about the feeling of worship far quicker than the feeling of worship will bring about the act of worship.”
I think that is true in most areas of life.
Shaun Groves says:
I need to check that out. Thanks for the tip.
Princess Leia says:
I LOVE Heifer’s vision. The gifts keep giving, theoretically indefinitely. Our “rock ‘n roll” congregation bought a water buffalo last Christmas. We intro’d the idea with a certain Silly Song (everybody’s got one!).
And instead of giving individual gifts to the extended family last year, we gave a family picture (which we never get done) and part of another water buffalo (with that silly song written around the edge of the picture).
Now to convince Heifer to start working with Cebu.
Heather EV says:
Wow. Brilliant. I especially like the idea of punishing your daughter for saying bad things to herself. It’s an almost impossibly habit to break once you’re older, so stopping it now in that way is brilliant.
Gina says:
I read a few blogs in my “spare time”. I have to say quite simply, I like what I learn on your “mommy blog” and I like the way I feel after I’ve read what you have put “out there”. I feel challenged (but not overwhelmed), positive, happy and thoughtful.
Thank you Shaun Groves. I like you. Have a great day.
owlhaven says:
Shaun,
I just had a similar discussion with one of mine– “speak kind words about everyone, including yourself.”
Guarding the talk inside our heads is a huge part of viewing our lives positively, don’t you think? “take every thought captive…” Also, thankfulness, thankfulness, thankfulness….
Have a great trip!
Mary, mom to many
Shaun Groves says:
So true, Mary. This is the great battlefield in my life: my mind. Spending time reading the thoughts of inspiring positive people like you sure helps.
Thanks, Mary.
Kelli says:
As someone who received a lot of rejection growing up, I constantly struggle against those negative thoughts. Thankfully, I married a man who for ten years has poured positive praise into my heart and through his influence, a bit of encouragement from others and a lot of prayer, I suddenly find myself kind of believing those positive little nuggets.
It’s very liberating to believe in yourself.
JessicaB says:
Ack!
Lovin’ that tips button!
Yay!
Melody Joy King says:
I so appreciate this post and the following comments. In my battle with depression, there have been many times it has taken everything in me to get myself to church. There have been times I have been scheduled to sing on the worship team, and satan bombards my mind with thoughts of unworthiness and negativity. Thankfully, when I fight through and fight back with God’s word and replace those lies with truth, the stinker backs off completely! My heart, mind, and soul are completely uplifted as I sing praises and declare the wonderful truths and promises of our great God with my brothers and sisters. Thank you again for this post!
Linda says:
hi shaun,
what a timely message for me. been telling god for the past few days how low i feel, how i need his help to not resign myself to defeat. thanks for the reminder 🙂
also, just wanted to say i really appreciate your honesty, transparency, and efforts in blogging. i’m really encouraged by your faithfulness to God.
PS: i think using Ads to support your music is a great plan 🙂
Linda says:
Something I’ve heard before, related to this post: Joni Erekson Tada shared that in the mornings when she has been in great pain, and she was awaiting her friend to come and help her brush her teeth and wash up, she did not have a smile to face the day. So she would pray, “Jesus, I don’t have any smiles today. Can I borrow your smile for my friend today?”
So i’m gonna ask Jesus if I can borrow his smile today. 🙂
Kristy says:
I think what you said is spot on. If we are really to “take every thought captive”, that implies we have a choice, in our thoughts and our attitudes. I think we actually have more of a choice than we even realize…but I guess its easier to believe its out of ours hands.
God has been (re)teaching me of this the past few weeks. My friends just adopted a beautiful baby girl, and he reminded me that I could look at her and feel like God is answering everyone’s prayers but mine, or I can look at her and see a wonderful reminder that God does answer prayers. Its a choice.
On a side note – I’d love to hear how you’re teaching your Sunday School kids about giving. The age group I work with is a bit younger, and I though I think they do a great job , I’m always looking for more ideas.
Erika says:
You’ve got it so right … though it’s often so hard to do–and teach to the wee ones!
Dale Carnegie, in the classic, “How to Win Friends and Influence People” said, “ACT enthusiastic and you will BE enthusiastic.” Over the years my grandfather reminded me of that, and even more importantly, he reminded me that, Scripture tells us over and over again to renew our minds, to think on that which is pure, lovely, excellent, praiseworthy … etc.
I once heard someone say that we often wait for our feelings to kickstart our habits, but more accurately, it’s the opposite that occurs. We often don’t FEEL like exercising or being disciplined or, or, or… therefore, the action doesn’t happen. If we ACT, first, however, despite how we feel, the feelings will follow.
Thanks for the post. Good food for thought!
jen says:
I pulled your blog up last night and never got around to reading it. Now I know why; it is absolutely what I needed to hear this morning. Thanks for the encouragement . . . and the smile . . . even if it is a bit forced (for now).
laura [email protected] life overseas says:
I’ll be honest to say that we’ve been whining for the past 6 months.
And that’s not been working out so good, for any of us.
Honestly, though, there is a real truth in choosing with your will to FIND JOY. To focus positive. To give thanks, anyway. To not use “venting” to your spouse, kids, friends, as an “excuse” to just whine and complain.
Too much. 🙂
Thanks for the encouragement not to be an Eeyore.
Tara Livesay says:
thanks for this