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Eight Deadly Thoughts That Rob You Of Joy

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. ~Romans 12: 2

deep thoughts

Thoughts are my downfall.

You know the ones I mean. The dark kind that slip in undetected when I’m most in need of hope. The kind that circle above my pillow in the night, robbing me of peace.

Like cracked, smudged lenses covering 20/20 vision, like a curmudgeonly hand smothering my delight, these thoughts distort, discourage, and distract me from the reason I am here–to enjoy God and love people. And the other way around.

The ancient desert fathers named them deadly, dark thoughts that whisper into every human ear.

You will recognize them:

The Eight Deadly Thoughts

  1. Gluttony
  2. Lust
  3. Avarice
  4. Sadness
  5. Anger
  6. Acedia
  7. Vainglory
  8. Pride

The danger seems distant with such old-fashioned names. Until we look deeper to the assumptions beneath:

  1. God is okay, but more is better. Nothing I try seems to satisfy.
  2. My needs are what matter, people are there for my use and enjoyment.
  3. God is stingy and unreliable, I must stockpile for every potential disaster.
  4. Life is unfair, I got a raw deal, God treats everyone else better than me.
  5. I’ve a right to my anger, people have earned it. Even God–he could have prevented my hurt.
  6. Why even try? Why even bother? Life is complicated and painful, I give up.
  7. Nobody notices my efforts and talents. Why do I never receive the applause?
  8. I’ve built my success by my own work and effort–why can’t others be more like me?

Thoughts are my downfall, yet thoughts set me free. I sit here in silence, and let God change my mind.

I recall all you have done, O LORD; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about them. O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you? You are the God of miracles and wonders! Psalm 77:11-14.

In the next few weeks I will post on each of the Eight Deadly Thoughts, and let God awaken our thirst for their opposites:

  1. Contentment
  2. Self-control
  3. Generosity
  4. Gratitude
  5. Forgiveness
  6. Acceptance
  7. Modesty
  8. Humility

Do you long to change the way you think?

 

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17 replies on “Eight Deadly Thoughts That Rob You Of Joy”

Janet – what a wonderful message to start the day. I recently did a talk to MOPS on gratitude. Gratitude has changed my way of thinking. When I can find something to be thankful for in every situation regardless of the pain it may have caused, I am able to see God in the situation rather than my pain. I have found that the only way to real joy is to be grateful for all I have. Thank you!

A wise insight, Ruth. I wonder if gratitude is the link between the deadly and life-giving thoughts. I’ll be pondering that.

Janet, I started reading your thoughtful emails during Advent and very much appreciate your insights as well as yout writing style. Thanks for sharing your gifts with us!

You know, these thoughts take up so much of my energy and drains me. Also, while I entertain them there is no room for God’s thoughts or His voice. Those deadly thoughts take up far too much of my time and lead me to unhealthy choices. I want to fill my mind and my heart with God’s thoughts. Excited to read the upcoming blog

Gluttony is easier to overcome than Acedia. The good news is that once you’ve conquered acedia, the rest of them will leave you alone.

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