What we have covered so far ….

• Science catches up with scripture – cognitive behavioral therapy
• We all have cognitive distortion –we are broken
• We can’t win a battle over truth if we don’t have an established source of it
• Truth enables us to recognize the enemy and take captive our thoughts
• Rewiring our brains with truth as we believe and obey
• Reframing our past so that we can pre-frame our future

The distortion of Emotional Reasoning- 

Emotional reasoning leads you to believe that the way you feel is a reflection of reality. “I feel this way about this situation, hence it must be a fact,” defines this cognitive distortion. For example, feeling inadequate in a situation turns into, “I don’t belong anywhere.” This cognitive distortion might also lead you to believe future events depend on how you feel. For example, you may firmly believe something bad will happen today because you woke up feeling anxious. You might also assess a random situation based on your emotional reaction. If someone says something that makes you angry, you immediately conclude that person is treating you poorly.

Remember scripture tells us …Proverbs 14:12 (NIV) — 12 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.  Jeremiah 17:9 (NIV) — 9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Truth is that which has been revealed by God who created and sustains reality 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NIV)

Maturity in is to learn to think and see truth –battling and winning the war of our mind 2 Corinthians 10:3–5 (NIV)   Hebrews 5:12–14 (NIV)

This week –thinking and living in joy –rejoicing

The fruit of the Spirit is the product of the gift of the Sprit of God who moves into us  Acts 2:38 (NIV)  Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV)

We are told to, and able to rejoice –put on joy: 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NIV) — 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:1 (NIV) — 1 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.

The process of rejoicing –But we are commanded to rejoice (this is Gods will for us)

• What does it mean to rejoice? To put on joy
• Is rejoicing a feeling or a way of thinking –yes!!!
• The way the brain works – amygdala (fight –flight—freeze)
• Fast track system – the right side –
• Slow track system – the left side
• We have the immediate –fast track – adrenaline – we react
• Then the slow side –bringing logic to our thoughts and feelings
• We can actually rewire our brains
• Happiness is circumstantial –joy is something we put on as we think through that which is true – renewing our mind –we see Gods activity and His promised continued activity
• Kay Warren (Choose Joy) “Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in all things”.

1. Accepting I have feelings and thoughts that are not based on truth

• Cognitive distortion
• Some are more cerebral and some are more emotional –God made us differently
• The Heart in scripture is the seat of the will where the thinking and feeling part of you sits and you must choose what you will do
• We have thoughts and feelings that are broken and sinful –we have experiences that may have shaped us for a time — we have an enemy

2. Reflect on your thinking and feelings – what is driving your thoughts and feelings?

• I must think about what I am thinking and feeling about –what are the causes of it
• A.L.T.S.
• Am I Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired, Stressed/Scared and it is effecting my thoughts and feelings Romans 12:2 (NIV)

3. Test my thoughts and feelings according to Gods Word –reality from Gods perspective
4. Choose to put on Gods perspective to change your brain

• Continual rejoicing—thankfulness (an ongoing ever-present mulling over –meditation)
• Rejoicing means we focus on the things that God has done –is doing –and promised to do that we take for granted
• Rejoicing leads to gentleness –a quiet confidence
• The Lord is near – He knows my name – has a plan for me –
• The peace of God comes as we remember who we are to God through Jesus
• Focus on these things…..and take the next faithful obedient step to obey
• And God is with you

Philippians 4:4–9 (NIV)                  Philippians 4:10–13 (NIV).           1 Peter 5:6–7 (NIV)

The grateful brain:https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/prefrontal-nudity/201211/the-grateful-brain

 “It has been found that 12 minutes of daily focused prayer over an 8-week period can change the brain to such an extent that it can be measured on a brain scan.”  Dr. Caroline Leaf, Switch on Your Brain

Looking back and looking forward:

• Based on what you thought about, your attitude, your energy spent –what one word would describe your last year? Month? Day?
• My word for the year – Grateful

Small Group Discussion:

Scriptures to consider: 1 Kings 19:9-13, Phillipians 4:4-7 , Hebrews 4:16, Psalm 145:17-19

Questions 

1. When have your emotions led you to make a really good (or really bad) decision?
2. On a scale from 1-10, how significantly do your emotions affect your thought life? 1 being not at all, 10 being they affect all my thoughts.
3. What circumstances or dynamics exist in your life right now that regularly create anxiety for you?
4. Read the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19:9-13, what can you do to lean in and hear God’s whisper among all the wind, fire, and earthquakes going on around you now in this circumstance?
5. How do you keep your emotions in check when making decisions?
6. How does rejoicing or thankfulness change your perspective? How does that affect your emotions?
7. When are you most likely to rejoice? What makes it hard for you to rejoice?
8. Who do you know that is consistently joy-filled? What about them makes you say they are joy-filled?

For more resources go to: https://bit.ly/Mindbattle