“Change
your thoughts and change your world.” Norman Vincent Peale
Chronic stress from negative attitudes can upset the
body’s hormone balance and deplete the brain chemicals (neurotransmitters)
required for feelings of happiness. Negative emotions can weaken the immune
system. The mind, body, and spirit are interconnected. When one is affected,
the other two will suffer. For example, someone with chronic negativity towards
life can also have co-related depression and fatigue. Anger and hostility has
been linked to hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Many health problems
such as chronic fatigue, depression, insomnia, and gastrointestinal diseases
will not entirely clear up on their own, unless the mental and spiritual
aspects are also addressed.
Some
common negative emotions are: worry, fear, depression,
guilt, resentment, lack of contentment, complaining, and anger. These emotions can open the door to sickness
and disease. Worrying generates anxiety and reves up your body. People who
are chronically anxious have a dramatically greater risk for developing asthma,
arthritis, headaches, and peptic ulcers. Studies
have shown that worry, fear, anxiety and other negative emotions weaken natural
“killer cells” in our bodies. Killer
cells actually attack abnormal cells.
Research has shown that positive thinking can aid in
stress management and even plays an important part in your well-being.
According
to the Mayo clinic, positive thinking is linked to a wide range of health
benefits including:
longer life span, less stress, lower rates of depression, resistance to the
common cold, better coping skills, and better psychological health.
However is positive thinking alone enough? No, you must replace every thought
with a faith-filled statement and scripture. Say out loud these scriptures daily and any other helpful ones and
write them out on index cards.
Philippians
4:8
Finally,
brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever
is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any
excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians
4:6
Do
not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians
4:13
I
can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Romans
12:2
Do
not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and
acceptable and perfect.
Ephesians
4:31-32
Let
all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you,
along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one
another, as God in Christ forgave you.
John
14:27 ESV
Peace
I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to
you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
2
Corinthians 10:5 ESV
We
destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God,
and take every thought captive to obey Christ.
►For additional reading on overcoming negativity, check out
my New Book, “Disciplining Your Mind, 30Days to a New You.”
I give practical help in how to
discipline your mind. You can also find my book at Amazon.
►Take the 30 day challenge with me in fasting from negative
thinking. Check out my challenge video on my Facebook.www.facebook.com/HopeandEncouragement4Women
Let me know if these resources has helped you. I would love
to hear from you!
