Thoughts VS Beliefs

Thoughts VS Beliefs is a topic I’ve been thinking a lot about lately. Many different thoughts run through my brain on any given day. Taming those thoughts through my belief system is a must.

My beliefs are what I consider to be the foundation of my life. “God is in control” “Everything will be OK” These beliefs make up who I am for the most part.

My thoughts are haphazard, impulsive notions or assumptions based on triggers from what is happening around me. Most of the time for me, these thoughts are irrational.

A few years ago I read The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer with a friend for a long distance book study. We mostly read Christian, self-help books so this was very different. We looked at it as more of a psychology book. One big take away we had from the book was letting things go. Singer talks about letting things pass through you.

“If you don’t want it, let it go.” (p. 63) was a huge concept for me. I don’t have to hold on to things! I have especially thought of letting things pass through me when it come to my thoughts. I can let a thought enter my mind, evaluate it, and let it go!! No, it isn’t always easy, but it is a goal.

Not all thoughts are healthy. If they aren’t healthy, I don’t need them in my life.

Descartes said, “I think; therefore I am.”

But, if my thoughts are negative, who am I? If I let negative thoughts overrun my mind, am I the person I truly want to be? The answer is, No!

Enter my Beliefs!

I experience negative thoughts like, “How will we ever be able to live with this national debt? How is the national debt going to affect my retirement plans with my husband? Will my children be able to live the American Dream that I’ve been able to live if taxes become outrageously high? What will ever happen to all these children pouring into our country without their parents?”– Do you see the rabbit hole I go down with negative thoughts. I tend to spiral from one thought to another.

I have to take a step back and literally ask myself, “Yes, these are your thoughts, but what are your beliefs?” This step back tends to calm my heart. I can then remind myself of the beliefs that make up the foundation of my life.

“God is in control” is my biggest core belief. When I first lost my first husband, I was so distraught, I lived in fear that I would completely “lose it” out in public. One way that I dealt with this fear was by having mantras I could say to myself. I even kept them in a Google Doc on my phone in case I was in such bad shape I couldn’t remember them. Of the five mantras, my first one was God is in control.

I have based my life on this core belief since I was a little girl. It has a tendency to calm me down and put everything in my life in perspective like nothing else. The belief that God is in control is not a random thought. It is an assurance that has become my life’s foundation through bible study and life experience.

My experience with studying the bible as well as living my life tell me that God is ultimately in control. I love the song “Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns. I think of it often when I’m worried about things in my life.

I hope I never forget the chorus:

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, “Do not be afraid!”
The voice of truth says, “This is for My glory”
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth