From A.N.T. to A.C.T.

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

“Don’t believe everything you hear—even in your own mind,” so says Daniel Amen, an imminent neuroscientist. He has some very important things to say about the negative things we “hear;” things never spoken audibly, but we say to ourselves all the time.  

He calls them A.N.T.s = Automatic Negative Thoughts. You know what they are...

“This won’t work.”

“God isn’t listening to my prayer.”

“I can’t follow this diet.”

“I can’t afford to give money to the church.”

“I can’t get organized.”

“We’ll never fix our marriage.” And on and on.

Dr. Amen advises us to develop a habit of ‘stomping’ on the A.N.T.s, and to replace them with godly, uplifting thoughts.

Every Christ follower understands it’s easier said than done. That’s why it’s imperative that we get into the Word—the Bible. It’s because of His Word that we know of His plan for our future and hope [Jeremiah 29:11]; that we know He is working all things together for our good [Romans 8:28]; that He will finish the work He has started in us [Philippians 1:6].  

So here’s the plan. Let’s follow Dr. Amen’s advice to stomp out the A.N.T.s, then let’s replace them with A.C.T.s = Automatic Christ-like Thoughts. That means dismissing all the negative things we repeat to ourselves, and remembering that God is in control!

A.C.T.s will lead to right actions as we strive to grow in Christlikeness. Be warned, though. We live in a negative and discouraging world, so it will be hard work. Most certainly you will need to renew your mind daily! [Romans 12:2].

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2nd Corinthians 10:5