old tapesIsn’t it encouraging that you and God can rewrite old tapes that are negative and discouraging?

These tapes, these words you repeat to yourself, may have a tidbit of truth.

An example:

You may have made a mistake–we all do–but your mistake doesn’t define you. To God, you are not a failure.

The old tapes you play may say you you’re a mess-up or lack value or beauty. The most important and wonderful truth: In Christ, you are God’s child and he loves you beyond your imagination.

He loves you, so you can share love with others. . .family, friends, people at church, neighbors, co-workers, the cashier at Walmart, anyone, everyone.

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19, ESV

Tapes Start in Childhood

The old destructive tapes often began in childhood. An exception may be that you married an abusive man who puts you down day after day after day. He may tell you that you’re stupid and a loser. Even with a great childhood, hearing this vitriol in your marriage can undo you and cause you to question your worth.

In childhood, did your dad say or insinuated that you’d amount to nothing or that you were a bother? Did he make unwelcome comments about your looks or women’s beauty (or lack there of)? Did your mom seem preoccupied or highly critical? Did she have her nose in a book or her eyes fixed on TV, and shooed you away when you wanted her attention? Did she give you the silent treatment or yell at you when you failed in her eyes?

If this happened to you, my heart hurts for you. This isn’t the childhood God wants parents to to their children. You can get a picture of God’s plan for parenting here and here and here.

The messages you believed in childhood morphed into tapes that we adults repeat to ourselves regularly, if not daily,

and especially when stressed.

Overcoming the Discouragement of Old Tapes

God loves you so much he wants you to rewrite the tapes from childhood and end the sinful habits you learned from them. You may have tried to overcome your sinful habits–whether worry, bitterness, or laziness–through prayer, Bible study, talking with trustworthy friends, and even counseling. Still, they may plague you.

These sinful habits have lodged in your heart. From the heart flows our thoughts (Proverbs 4:23).

What you believe about yourself and God–whether true or false–becomes part of your thinking, but you can change!

When negative thoughts pop us, they may seem to come out of nowhere. It’s as if they have a life of their own. When plagued with negative thoughts, isn’t it easy to feel helpless?

You may be tempted to give up on changing them. As a Christ-follower, you know God wants to thinks thoughts pleasing to him. Doesn’t Philippians 4:8 say. . .?

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

There is hope!

Rewriting Old Tapes Is a Process

You can rewrite the old tapes that began in childhood. This won’t happen overnight; it’s a process. As you replace lies you believe with God’s truth–wonderful changes ensue:

  • Your thought patterns improve.
  • Your beliefs line up more and more with the Word of God.
  • You begin to desire what God desires–that his will be done.

Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4, NIV

Most important, your life glorifies God. Isn’t this the real reason God created us?

As you meditate on scripture, you create new tapes, encouraging and godly and life-giving tapes. These new tapes replace the old ones. and your thoughts, emotions, and actions follow suit. Your heart is revived!

“Heart” is the biblical term for your beliefs and motivations from which your thoughts, emotions, and actions flow. When the Bible speaks of the heart, it is almost exclusively refers to the inner workings of the soul and mind. It is the immaterial part of your being.

At first change may seem slow. As you continue to internalize the God’s truths, the greater and faster these changes will be!

Awful thoughts and sinful habits that plague you will lessen, even disappear. You’ll feel joy–and dare I say, true happiness.

Your Next Step

Look up the Bible verses listed below. Memorize them one at a time and meditate on them.

Some of my counselees like to write them on index cards or sticky notes and place them on their car dashboard or bathroom mirror to reread them often. Others like to “draw” the verses, using the words with sketches.

Romans 12:1-2

Ephesians 4:22-24

2 Peter 1:3-4

Soon you’ll have new tapes because your mind cannot have both sinful and righteous thoughts at the same time. Tell me how it goes. I love hearing from my readers!

OFFER: I offer a complimentary 15-minute, phone consultation with any woman who has questions about counseling. To take advantage of this offer, simply contact me and say “I’d like a consultation.” I’ll email you and we’ll set up a time to talk on the phone. 

Sharing Hope with Your Heart!

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