I just felt sad. My child’s behavior disappointed me, and I couldn’t shake it.
The clock told me it was time to go to bed, but I stayed awake, longing for something to cheer me up. I thought: “I wish someone would surprise me with flowers right now.” At the late hour, there could not be a more ridiculous desire. The day was a good, a productive one, however I was allowing my child’s behavior to spoil it all. I was spiraling downward. I thought about how taken for granted I was, how I wished my kitchen had more cabinet space, and that there was a way for my husband and me to get away for a few days. Discontentment flows when I choose to allow my thoughts to follow my feelings.
In the ladies Bible study I attend, we have been learning about how to “take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). I took a deep breath. What is true? is something I am learning to ask myself when my feelings start to dictate my thoughts. In that moment, this was true: My child made a mistake, just like we all do. They have learning and growing to do. It is a privilege to get to guide them, and I am so thankful to be their mom. In fact, I have so much to be thankful for, even my little kitchen!
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8).
Disciplining ourselves to think on things that line up with this list when we feel the opposite is hard work, but our hearts and minds (and moods) are always worth it!
