Monday, July 20, 2009

Mind Control

I hate to be sick to my stomach. When I was first diagnosed with cancer and began to imagine all that I would experience, I was sure that I would spend some time dealing with nausea and vomiting. That was the picture I had in my mind of chemotherapy. Thankfully, with the type of chemotherapy I had, I did not experience any nausea at all! I was so happy!

However, one of the most interesting things that happened during my radiation therapy started about four weeks into my treatments. As soon as I got in the car to ride to the radiation center I would begin to feel nauseous. This would last through my time in the waiting room, through my treatment, all the way until I got in the car to ride home. Then, suddenly, it would be gone. 

It was an interesting phenomenon to experience, and very consistent. The radiation treatments did not make me sick to my stomach, the medication did not make me sick to my stomach. My brain made me sick to my stomach, my thoughts. I did not want to have radiation treatments, didn't want to be there, didn't want to have a reason to be there, didn't want to live with the side effects. Those thoughts would swirl around in my head and before I knew it I would feel nauseous. 

It's amazing the power our thoughts have. And if we're not careful, they will take control and very subtly begin to effect every area of our lives. I think that's why God tells us many times in his Word to be careful of our thoughts, to take control of them, and to direct them. My thoughts will either contribute to my healing or to my demise. And so will yours.

"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he" Proverbs 23:7

"We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9

6 comments:

  1. Hi Laura - It's Carla Rossi. Alex and I are in Durango, CO now. I just connected with Laura Flemming via facebook, and she directed my to your blog. Know that I will be praying for you from the West!!! Much love in Crist, beautiful sister! I loved reading your verses on the mind.

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  2. Our thoughts and our words...power of life and death in them. Its an amazing spiritual truth.
    I read a book one time... the lady is a cancer survivor and she said she began to apply to her day that what if indeed what she actually spoke would happen so she began to concentrate on her spoken words... of course, I am not an advocate of the name it and claim but that was not her story...her story was that as we think and are in Christ then so be it. She spoke life and not fear.
    I have found that the spoken words of the Bible... have more power in them than anything else on earth or anywhere. Just speak them, think them...the living word is life.

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  3. Good Morning Laura! I was just reading the "Abundant Life - New Testament" book CoF sent me, and came across Philippians 4:8-9. It is amazing! I am enjoying every word of it. Have a great day!

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  4. Dear Laura~
    A friend who is battling cancer sent me your blog~ I've been praying for you!
    Although I have not been diagnosed with cancer, I have had a swollen lymph node for about 7 months. Been to several Dr.s and even had a biopsy that came back nondiagnostic :( Right now we wait and pray about the Lord's leading for the next step.
    This morning I was signing hymns to my 7 yr old daughter and came across this song...it so touched my heart. I posted it on my blog and thought maybe it would bless you to hear today!
    May God continue to Bless you!
    Jamie
    http://livinontheprairie.blogspot.com/

    Jesus Is All the World to Me!

    Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all.
    He is my strength from day to day, Without Him I would fall.
    When I am sad, to Him I go, No other one can cheer me so.
    When I am sad, He makes me glad. He's my Friend!

    Jesus is all the world to me, my Friend in trials sore.
    I go to Him for blessings and, He gives them over and over.
    He sends the sunshine and the rain, He sends the harvest's golden grain
    Sunshine and rain, harvest and grain. He's my Friend!

    Jesus is all the world to me, and true to Him I"ll be.
    Oh how could I, this Friend deny, When He's so true to me?
    Following Him I know I"m right. He watches over me day and night.
    Following Him by day and night, He's my Friend!

    Jesus is all the world to me, I want no better Friend.
    I trust Him now, I'll trust Him when, Life's fleeting days shall end.
    Beautiful life with such a Friend, Beautiful life that has no end!
    Eternal life, eternal joy, HE'S MY FRIEND!!

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  5. I love the verse from Proverbs! I've had it taped to my bathroom mirror ever since we first started our small group!

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  6. Hi, Laura,
    We are headed out of town for a few days to see Andrew. He is working in Branson again this summer, but we won't forget to pray for you!
    Ellen

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