Month: September 2020

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1st Marriage 2nd Marriage Devotion for Men Devotion for Women Step Father-mother ZZ

A Loving Parent

‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Genesis 2:24(NLT)

‘I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.’ John 17:21(NLT)

‘Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.’ Proverbs 22:6(NLT)

‘Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. ‘ Romans 13:1(NLT)

‘Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.’ Ephesians 4:32(NLT)

‘Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. ‘ Colossians 3:14(NLT)

‘No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.’ Hebrews 12:11(NLT)

Your marriage is an important part of your parenting. In fact, it’s vital. You and your spouse are the one relationship that is before your children’s eyes daily. It is the primary relationship where you can demonstrate to your children your own devotion to God and to His Word. Are you loving the person that God has given you in marriage?

Are husbands loving their wives as Christ loved and laid down His life for the Church? Are wives respecting their husbands in the way the Scripture teaches? Parents’ relationship to children is a relationship based on authority. To show your children how to properly relate to someone in authority and how to properly exercise authority, you need to model to them how to live under the authority of God in your own lives. How you treat your spouse is very important. This is another area where you need to examine your heart daily. 

You need to make your spouse a priority over any other relationship in your life. Do you spend time with your spouse? Do you give gifts to each other? Are you kind in your daily exchanges? Do you forgive each other? Do you pray and worship God together? Do you help each other around the house? Do you consult with each other about money? Are you respectful to your spouse in front of your children? Your children are like sponges: they absorb everything they see you do. They remember everything they hear you say. 

You and your spouse should also agree on how you parent. Your children should never find “an easier parent.” You should be one in the way you relate to your children. In other words, your children should not get a “no” from mom regarding an activity or a purchase andthen go to dad behind mom’s back and get a “yes.” Always consult each other. If you do not know what the other parent would say, tell your children to wait for the answer until you are in agreement on the matter. Your children will respect that. They might not say it at the moment, but they will love that their mom and dad love and respect each other. 

from How To Be A Good Christian Parent

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1st Marriage 2nd Marriage Devotion for Men Devotion for Women Step Father-mother ZZ

A Patient Parent

‘“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.’ Exodus 20:12(NLT)

‘“Honor your father and mother, as the Lord your God commanded you. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.’ Deuteronomy 5:16(NLT)

‘A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline; a mocker refuses to listen to correction.’ Proverbs 13:1(NLT)

‘They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. ‘ Romans 1:30(NLT)

‘So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. ‘ Galatians 6:9(NLT)

‘Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.’ Ephesians 6:1-4(NLT)

‘Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. ‘ Colossians 3:20(NLT)

Any person who has children can tell you that parenting might very well be the hardest job in the world. If you are a Christian parent, the work does not get easier because you want to raise your children to honor God. The Scriptures tell the parents to raise their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. The Scriptures also tell the children to obey their parents, which does not always happen. Disobedience adds to parenting being difficult. With the tension between the encouragement of the Scriptures and the reality of life, how does one become a godly Christian parent? 

First, parenting is a lifelong endeavor. You are a parent for the rest of your life. You parent your children while they are under your roof. And you can still counsel them after they leave your house. Once you become a parent, you never stop being a parent. It is an ongoing effort, so you need patience, diligence, and endurance. You have to stay at it. You must do the right thing day in and day out. You must be kind to your children whether you had a good day at work or not. You must love them daily, continually and consistently. 

If you want to teach your children something, you must invest time into it. So if you want your children to play a musical instrument, you cannot just take them to lessons for several months and then let them quit. You need to invest years of encouragement, finances, and time into this activity. The same goes for sports. Of course, this is also true about spiritual disciplines. In other words, if you want your children to love the Lord, you need to pray together frequently. You need to study the Bible together regularly. You should go to and serve in a church together. Parenting is a long-term commitment. 

The Bible promises us that we reap what we sow as long as we do not quit. This is especially true with parenting. We cannot expect immediate results with our children. We cannot raise microwave Christians. Raising godly children takes time and patience. Actually, it takes a long time and a lot of patience. The fruit, however, is most rewarding. 

from How To Be A Good Christian Parent

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1st Marriage 2nd Marriage Devotion for Men Devotion for Women Step Father-mother ZZ

An Honorable Parent

‘Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”’ Genesis 1:28(NLT)

‘“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.’ Exodus 20:12(NLT)

‘My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck.’ Proverbs 1:8-9(NLT)

‘Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.’ Proverbs 13:24(NLT)

‘Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.’ Proverbs 22:6(NLT)

‘To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.’ Proverbs 29:15(NLT)

‘Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.’ Ephesians 6:4(NLT)

‘No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.’ Hebrews 12:11(NLT)

No matter what challenges we face in raising our children, we must remember that it is our responsibility from the Lord. He will give us the strength to do it. However, He also expects us to do it well. Interestingly, there are few instructions given to children in Scripture. They should believe the Gospel, which is true for everyone, and they should obey their parents. Most other Scriptural instructions address parents. 

Since parents are the primary authority at home, they are the leaders. God expects more from them than He does from children. Young people are taught to be learners throughout the book of Proverbs, but parents are to take the lead in living a godly lifestyle and teaching their children to do the same. In our culture children are sometimes given too much freedom or too much responsibility. Some parents say that they let their children decide whether or not they want to go to church. That is wrong. As a parent, you are in control of your child’s life and their Christian upbringing. You have to get them to do the right thing. 

You are in your children’s lives for a reason: to guide, instruct, and mold them into the godly people they are to become. The Bible sees parents as the influencers in their children’s lives. You must teach your children to honor the Lord. You also need to teach them to honor you. This will help them to know how to honor authority. Of course, you must also behave honorably. You cannot yell at your spouse, lie to others, or cheat in your business and expect your children to honor the godliness in you. You must be godly.

Model honor for your children; they will follow your lead. The Scriptures tell us that children might not like discipline at the time it is given, but later it will produce a fruit of righteousness and peace in their lives. Your children might not be as enthusiastic about going to church on Sunday or reading the Bible at home as you would like them to be. But if you stay firm and consistent, these godly disciplines will become part of their lives. They will thank you when they grow up.

from How To Be A Good Christian Parent

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1st Marriage 2nd Marriage Devotion for Men Devotion for Women Step Father-mother ZZ

A Failing Parent

‘The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.’ Proverbs 24:16(NLT)

‘“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. ‘ John 15:5(NLT)

‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”’ Acts of the Apostles 1:8(NLT)

‘For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. ‘ Romans 3:23(NLT)

‘Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.’ Ephesians 4:32(NLT)

‘Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.’ James 3:2(NLT)

‘If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. ‘ 1 John 1:8-9(NLT)

‘For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.’ Hebrews 10:14(NLT)

As much as we try to raise our children well and examine our hearts before God while doing it, we don’t always get it right. Sometimes, in our parenting, we are tempted to use the old adage: do as I say, not as I do. The truth is that we do live in this world and we make mistakes. As much as we try not to be hypocritical, we are also not perfect. What do we do when we sin, or when we err? Is there room for failure in godly parenting?

The answer, surprisingly, is “Yes!” The Gospel is the main thing that we need to teach our children. In other words, we need to teach them that people have a sinful nature. We need to teach them about Christ’s sacrificial redemption. We have to tell them about forgiveness. We should show them what it means to be progressively sanctified. The Bible tells us that we all stumble in many ways. None of us is without sin. Family is the place where forgiveness is constantly needed and confession of sin is constantly practiced. 

To fail is not to be a hypocrite. That is not what hypocrisy means. Hypocrisy is wearing a mask. It is being a play actor. It is playing a role that is not you. Children can absorb a lot of failure on the part of their parents when they know that their parents are genuine in their love for God and genuine in their love for them. That’s where we need to really test ourselves. It is about our hearts. We need to ask ourselves, “Am I repeating things just to sound right? Do I really believe the things that I am saying?” 

Just like everything in our Christian walk, parenting is about faith. We must ask ourselves if we really believe the Word of God and if we are striving to teach our children to believe it too. Christ said that we can do nothing without Him. That includes parenting. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to parent right. We need God’s help in this important life endeavor. He is always there to answer our prayers and to give us the strength necessary to be a godly parent.  

from How To Be A Good Christian Parent

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1st Marriage 2nd Marriage Devotion for Men Devotion for Women Step Father-mother ZZ

An Honest Parent

‘Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.’ Matthew 23:1-4(NLT)

‘Jesus replied, “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.’ Mark 7:6(NLT)

‘Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. ‘ Ephesians 6:1(NLT)

‘Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.’ Colossians 3:21(NLT)

‘For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. ‘ 1 John 2:16(NLT)

‘Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you ; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. ‘ 2 Corinthians 13:5(NLT)

Children are great character readers, so parents cannot be hypocrites. You cannot tell your child to do something, while you do something else. You can’t teach your children anything you are not willing to live. So if you want your children to grow up loving and honoring the Lord, you must make sure that you are doing it yourself. To train your children well, you must examine your own devotion to God. You need to be honest with yourself and examine yourself daily. 

For example, you want your children to study the Bible, ask yourself, “Do I study the Bible consistently?” You want your children to pray. Ask yourself, “Do I pray daily?” You should be teaching your children to love the church. Do you model what that means? If you want to teach your children to honor God with their money, you need to give faithfully to God’s Kingdom. Ask yourself, “Am I generous? Do I honor God with my resources?”If you want to teach your children about sexual purity, examine your life. Are you watching your heart and your mind? Are you being a good example of everything you teach? 

The Bible warns us that this world is full of evil. There is the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life that operates here. Before you can teach your children to keep themselves pure and serve the Lord, you need to do the same. Be aware of temptations in your own life because you are your children’s primary teacher. The first spiritual teacher of our children is not the church. A local church equips parents who then are primary teachers to their children. You teach by what you say, but also by how you live. In fact, your life, your actions, speak louder than your words. For you to be a good teacher to your children, you need to be a godly role model to them. 

When you are consistent in what you do, what you say will matter to your children. They will treasure your words through the years. If you are inconsistent and are a hypocrite, you will eventually frustrate your children and they will become bitter. You must live out the godliness you want to model. 

from How To Be A Good Christian Parent

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Dating Infidelity: ZZ

Love Junkies: Break The Toxic Relationship Cycle – Day 7

‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.’ Proverbs 3:5-8(NLT)

‘We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.’ Proverbs 16:9(NLT)

There’s a difference between a good choice and a God choice in relationships. Not just in the choosing of your life partner, but in navigating the challenges of marriage. Just because you say I do doesn’t mean that the fairy tale begins. There’s no such thing as a problem-free philosophy. Happily-ever-after is a fantasy, but when we allow God to direct our lives, fulfillment and joy are the rewards and realities.  

As we seek God’s direction for our lives and practice surrendering our will to Him, He’ll show us the way to go. In Genesis Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for his son, Isaac. The servant prayed and asked God for a sign. “When I ask for a drink at the spring, let your chosen one be the one who offers water for my camels as well.” This wasn’t a haphazard re­quest. The servant was searching for a woman of character, a woman with a heart to serve. When the servant met Rebekah at the well and she offered to water his camels, he knew she was the Lord’s chosen. The match was obvious to Rebekah’s family as well. 

I know our culture doesn’t practice arranged marriages where the father picks out a spouse. But what if you allowed your heavenly Father to choose your mate? He has His absolute best in mind for you. 

Choosing a mate and submitting to God’s lead in marriage are difficult, but there are things you can do to strengthen your ability to trust His guidance. Ask God to show you something you can surrender that is just beyond the measure of faith you currently have. It’s difficult to let go of some­thing significant if you’ve never yielded something small. 

You can also pray for vision. Ask God to give you a vision for your future so that you can align the purpose for your life with His plans. When God wants us to believe, He sends many convincing proofs, so pray that He will confirm it in such a way that your hope and confidence is anchored and unwavering. 

When you pay close attention to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, you’ll be able to discern His direction. And like a dance, the closer you are to your partner, the easier it’ll be to feel His lead and surrender your will to His. 

from Love Junkies: Break The Toxic Relationship Cycle by Christy Johnson

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Dating Infidelity: ZZ

Love Junkies: Break The Toxic Relationship Cycle – Day 6

‘The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray.’ Proverbs 12:26(NLT)

‘To acquire wisdom is to love yourself; people who cherish understanding will prosper.’ Proverbs 19:8(NLT)

Apart from your commitment to Christ, the investment of your heart into a romantic relationship is one of the most important commitments you’ll ever make in life. Why then, do so many women enter without the consent and approval of those who know them best? Why do they risk the most valuable asset they own to the limited insight of their emotions and intellect? Because when it comes to romance we all have blind spots—areas of vulnerability that jeopardize our judgment.  

That’s why it’s important to guard your heart in the beginning of a relationship. Before you get your emotions involved, take enough time to evaluate his character. Once chemistry takes over, your discernment is compromised. When your emotions are detached, however, it’s easier to notice areas of concern and potential char­acter flaws. 

Counsel and accountability can also help protect you from making unwise choices in relationships because others can see red flags you may have overlooked.  When you’re driving a vehicle you have to look over your shoulder before switching lanes. Without checking your rearview mirror you may crash and burn. The same is true in relationships.

Rushing into romance is risky, but a wise woman is cautious in relationships so do your homework. Follow him on social media. Watch, observe, and trust your instincts. In your conversations ask lots of questions. Not just for conversation. Not to create an emotional connection. That comes later. Right now you’re asking intentional questions for the purpose of evaluation. If his answers are vague and full of non-disclosure, stay away. Otherwise, store the information. 

Don’t be so gullible that you believe everything he says. Wait to see if his words agree with his actions. Ask mutual friends you respect about him. You may feel like you’re snooping, but you’re not. Snooping is something you do when you have no reason other than sheer curiosity. You’re taking an honest look at relationship suitability. Notice who he hangs out with. Ask to meet his friends. After all, a man is best known by the company he keeps. 

Your heart is the most valuable asset you own, so don’t give it away just because the chemistry feels good. Character is more important than chemistry. Chemistry is short term, but character provides longevity. Play it safe and protect your heart. Delay emotion­al involvement until you have sufficient time to evaluate whether or not his character is worthy of your love. Then you’ll be able to build your relationship on a solid foundation of trust and commitment.  

from Love Junkies: Break The Toxic Relationship Cycle by Christy Johnson

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Dating Infidelity: ZZ

Love Junkies: Break The Toxic Relationship Cycle – Day 5

‘When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.’ Proverbs 29:18(NLT)

‘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. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.’ Romans 12:2(NLT)

Have you ever made a New Year’s resolution that didn’t make it past January? You’re not alone. Most of us fail to keep our resolutions because we try to maintain them based on our own willpower. If our resolve isn’t empowered by divine vision, our restraint fails when temptation taunts us…even more so in relationships. 

That’s why revelation is vital. When we rely on our own wisdom to make wise choices in love we set ourselves up for failure. Revelation is important because Satan knows our weaknesses better than we do. He delivers our greatest temptations when we are most vulnerable. 

The devil waited for an opportune time to tempt Jesus when he was hungry, alone and tired in the desert, and he does the same with us. But Jesus had a revelation. He refused to make decisions with his natural mind. Instead, he made choices from a deeper place—a revelation anchored in His spirit. 

You may have heard well-meaning friends and family advise, “Just follow your heart.” This common counsel, however, contradicts what the Bible says about our heart—no one can understand it. It’s deceitful and beyond cure. Things we only understand in our head are no match for temptation. Besides that, our own desires are often in direct conflict with God’s will. However, there are things we can do to bring increased revelation and prevent relationship mistakes. 

Use the acronym HALT to remind yourself not to make decisions when you’re hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. Postpone decisions until you have a chance to get refreshed so you don’t give the devil a foothold.

You can also protect your vulnerabilities in other ways. Revelation comes with guarded focus so fill your schedule and remove unnecessary distractions. When we’re idle, we give the enemy a chance to strike, but purpose protects vulnerability. You might consider exercising, volunteering for a church or non-profit group, or taking a class to further your education. Satan waits for an opportune time to tempt you, but will leave you alone when you’re strong. 

It’s also helpful to find a focal point to fix your gaze. It might be a scripture, an encouraging thought, or a goal that you can concentrate on. A focal point in times of temptation draws your attention back to your resolve. 

We all need divine direction to guide us. God’s revelation helps us triumph over areas where we’ve failed in the past. Our struggles make us stronger and we experience a powerful principle—when we refuse temptation, it loses its power over us. 

from Love Junkies: Break The Toxic Relationship Cycle by Christy Johnson

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Dating Infidelity: ZZ

Love Junkies: Break The Toxic Relationship Cycle – Day 4

‘Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come. ‘ Jeremiah 33:3(NLT)

‘If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. ‘ James 1:5(NLT)

Often women who settle for unhealthy re­lationships have learned to ignore their inner witness. When their gut feeling tells them something isn’t right, they discount or minimize it. When a woman ignores her instinct, or the witness of the Holy Spirit guiding her with discernment, she is headed for trouble. 

God longs to speak to you about your relationships and everything else that concerns you. That’s why it’s so important that you learn to hear His voice. Hearing, however, is not the same as listening. Let me explain. 

For years I kept my television on all day just to keep me company. Most of the time I never sat still long enough to hear anything. I could be in the same room with the television and not hear a word because I tuned it out. I gave God as much attention as I did my TV. I didn’t have a hearing problem—I had a listening problem. I also had a lot of other misconceptions about prayer. 

I thought prayer was only a time where I made requests or spoke my heart. It never occurred to me that God wanted to talk back to me. I had also reduced prayer to a silent routine, thinking the only way God could hear me was if I bowed my head and closed my eyes. There’s a time for reverence, but there’s so many other ways He speaks.

Prayer means communication with God. It’s a two-way dynamic conversation where God reveals Himself in a variety of ways—through His word, through dreams and visions. Through worship and prophecy. Through signs and circumstances. 

God longs to talk to you so don’t make the same mis­take I once did and reduce prayer to a silent monologue. Consider taking a walk outside and listen for His voice. When the beauty of His nature surrounds you it shoves out the distractions of life. Maybe you hear God’s voice when you sing or lis­ten to music. Crank up the stereo and talk to God. Read your Bible, listen to sermons or journal your prayers and write down what you hear Him say back to you. Whatever helps you hear His voice, do that. 

Prayer is a dialogue with your creator, an exchange of thoughts between a loving God and His child—and an essential part of becoming a soul-healthy woman. As you learn to hear His voice you’ll also learn to trust your instincts and inner witness. Prayer does wonders for your confidence too. And the more confident you are, the better chances you have for a healthy relationship.

from Love Junkies: Break The Toxic Relationship Cycle by Christy Johnson

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Dating Infidelity: ZZ

Love Junkies: Break The Toxic Relationship Cycle – Day 3

‘They are always thinking about how much it costs. “Eat and drink,” they say, but they don’t mean it.’ Proverbs 23:7(NLT)

‘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. ‘ Philippians 4:8(NLT)

‘We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. ‘ 2 Corinthians 10:5(NLT)

Most of us have heard the expression, “You are what you eat.” In a similar way, the Bible tells us we are what we think. Thoughts are the seed that we use to create our God-given destinies. 

Our imagination is a powerful tool, but pointed in the wrong direction, we perish. Without vision and divine guidance we succumb to the giants in our lives. The devil knows how important our imagination is. That’s why he took one of the greatest weapons we have and perverted it into his counterfeit version—fantasy. 

He may dilute your vision by causing you to obsess over romance and engage in mind affairs. He may steer you in the wrong direction by filling your mind with defeating thoughts of shame and unworthiness. If that’s you, it’s time to take your thoughts captive. 

Replacing our thoughts takes determination. A number of years ago the National Science Foundation estimated that our brains produce as many as 50,000 thoughts per day. While the majority of them are the same as the day before, many experts agree that about two-thirds of them are negative thoughts. If we want to change our thoughts and eliminate negative repeat offenders, it will require discipline, focus, and determination. 

When a police officer plans an arrest, she first has to plan a strategy for the stakeout. Once she apprehends the of­fender, she handcuffs him and locks him up. A lot of force is involved. It’s a hostile situation. In the same way, it requires force to apprehend our thoughts. 

Taking our thoughts captive is difficult in the beginning, but when we bring our imagination into alignment with His truth, an incredible thing happens. As we think, we become. And not only will we feel better about ourselves, but others will begin to treat us different. What we believe about ourselves is contagious. 

Empowered women know they will go in the direction of their most prominent thoughts.  They understand that their thoughts create what they become so they’re careful what they think. Likewise, God wants you to imagine truths that produce success for your life, not defeat. When you discipline your mind to see the victory in your spirit before it mani­fests, you develop a champion mentality and position yourself for a victorious life. So focus on the things God has revealed to you. Use your imagination to see life through His eyes and watch His goodness unfold.

from Love Junkies: Break The Toxic Relationship Cycle by Christy Johnson