My Messy Thought Closet (Day 2)
June 24, 2009 by Christine Smith
Filed under MML-Week 1
Welcome to the newest members of our group: Kristi, Michelle and Grace. Visit the Introductions page to meet these women!
In our study, we’re learning about words we use to beat ourselves up. I know I’m often critical of myself and I did not realize that the words I’m using are the words given to me by my father. What a surprise to discover I still listen to those words. Thankfully, this Bible study has unpacked these destructive words from my messy closet. I’m learning the devastating effects of the words and the risk of passing them own to my own children. I realize that the words spoken to a seven-year-old girl remain inside her heart when she is a middle age Mom!
In my messy closet, I also found words I’m using to beat myself up are making me feel…..HUNGRY! I’ve just learned that my “death words” are stimulating my appetite.
The best scripture verse that defines my thought closet is Psalm 56:5-6 as translated by The Message Bible:
They don’t let up—
they smear my reputation
and huddle to plot my collapse.
They gang up,
sneak together through the alleys
To take me by surprise,
wait their chance to get me.
What happens when I hear a word from my earth father’s voice? I look for food to feed the hunger. As a kid, when I was punished I was sent to bed without dinner. Since I was punished 85% of the time, I was always going to bed hungry. When those “Dad-words” of destruction surface in my closet, it seems I am feeding myself to remind me that he can’t hurt me!
I think I now understand why numerous attempts at dieting were ineffective: It’s not the food I’m eating, its the thoughts I’m wearing!
Satan twists my words and my overeating will harm me with diabetes, heart disease and low esteem. Thankfully, God is revealing the truth to me and empowering me to defeat the enemy.
Group Discussion
Looking at the Five Bins on Page 15, what are some struggles uncovered with the verses? Post your thoughts here in the comments section. If you want to write an entire article, just email me and I’ll post it for you 
Today’s Verses
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Prayer Requests
Please pray for all members of this group.
Theresa asks: Please pray for me, I struggle with sarcasm directed at my teenagers.
This Day 2 lesson really opened my eyes to some horrible thoughts I have about myself. I do the study at night so this is the last thing that is really put in my mind before sleep. I am standing firm on the promises of Hebrews 4:12 and praying for my heart to change.
Your description above about being hungry makes so much sense. What a huge dark weight lifted off of you with this realization. The Lord is so good to us. He will heal us if we just stay out of the way.
I have always felt that my children deserved a better mother. I am not a booster mom or any of that. Tonight I realized that I am giving the enemy not only a foothold but a strong hold on my mind. By me saying things like I’m not a good mom….You guys deserve better….It sucks to be you! It is putting my kids in a position of having to build me up….When I should be the one building them up and accepting that I am God’s precious child.
I’m starting to realize my imagination who I love dearly for the most part is really not always my friend. When I was a child it was where I received all my praise(I’m involved in the arts) it is the place I run for refuge, escape and self-soothing I also am on my own often. While God created creativity and imagination it is for his Glory and not for hiding. “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” 2 Cor 10:5 (KJV) I think as women we have great imaginations, but my hope is God captures them or at least mine…