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 Voices 
 

What's that chatter going on inside your head? As minister's wives, we are subject to many voices - they can be good or bad, helpful or hurtful, replenishing or depleting.   An excerpt from Lysa Terkeurst's book Unglued says it best. "Negative inside chatter - those misguided thoughts that can easily turn into perceptions that then all too easily turn into dangerous realities. And realities based on runaway feeling rather than truth always lead to one thing - INSECURITY."

 

What voices do you listen to? I recently did a thorough purging of my pantry. By the time I was finished and dragging my bag of shame to the curb for trash pickup, the voices inside my head were screaming, "You should be ashamed of yourself! How could you let good food go to waste when there are children starving around the world AND locally? If you just did a better job at meal planning this wouldn't happen. You're a terrible example for your daughters-in-law. What if the girls in your neighborhood Bible study see you dragging all this trash to the curb? How could you let this happen?"

 

Granted, there are many things worse than having expired food items in our pantries (let me be quick to say I'm determined to do better in this area!), but the "voices of shame" shouted loudly to me that day, making me feel like an inadequate failure.  

 

When we as minister's wives have negative voices creep in, we have two choices to make: believe the lies or live in the truth about what the Father thinks of us.

 

In ministry life, the voices that come to us must be filtered and sifted through God's Word. From what we wear - to what we drive - to what we do in the church - to how our kids act. You and your family may be the topic of conversation of many. We should exercise discipline and refrain from behavior that asks for criticism, while keeping our eyes and focus on HIM and HIS personal calling for ultimate accountability.

 

Lysa Terkeurst says it well in Unglued.

 

"We are to park our minds on constructive thoughts, not destructive thoughts. . . thoughts that breathe life into us, not suck life from us."

 

There are three questions Lysa suggests we can use to discipline our runaway thoughts, those "voices" we hear in our heads:

 

1.  "Did someone actually say this or am I making assumptions about what they're thinking?"

We aren't on other people's minds nearly as much as we might think we are. Instead of allowing our thoughts to overtake us, whether in assumptions or despair, we can ask God to shine His truth into each situation. Philippians 4:6 invites us to choose prayer over worry in every situation. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."   

 

2. "Am I actively immersing myself in truth?"

Philippians 4:7 tells us that "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding would guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus." We must be women of the Word, or the negative voices inside our heads will eat us up!

 

3. "Are there situations or relationships that feed my insecurities?"

Whose approval are you seeking? Learn to discern. We cannot please everyone all of the time. Be honest before God and find security in Him alone and not in others. Overcome negative voices by remembering what God says about you. Philippians 4:8 is a place to park our minds:  

"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."

 

Learning to deal with the negative voices in our lives - whether real or imagined - can lead us to freedom. What is truth? It never hurts to take a deep introspective look at our own hearts - laying them bare before the Lord. Asking God to help us discern the areas we need to give attention to and the areas we need to flush, is a good ongoing practice for all of us. This holds true not only in dealing with peripheral people in our lives (church members, extended family, other women), but our immediate families as well.  

 

What are some ways you deal with the negative voices in your lives personally and in the church? I would love to hear your feedback! (click and post your comments) :)

 

Love and prayers for less chatter, Jeana  

 

Jeana Floyd is a wife, mother, grandmother, pastor's wife, and breast cancer survivor.  She has served alongside her husband, Dr. Ronnie Floyd, in ministry for over 37 years.  They have served at Cross Church in Northwest Arkansas for 27 years.  She is the author of "10 Things Every Pastor's Wife Needs to Know" and "An Uninvited Guest.  

 



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Mrs. J.M Dawson Award Nominations

This award is given in conjunction with the Minister's Wives Luncheon of the SBC in June.
(see Mark Your Calendar below)

Send nominations to Donna Avant (davant551@comcast.net) by March 1, 2014.
The Dawson award nominations may include ministry wives such as the wife of a pastor, or wife of any ministry staff member, women in other areas of ministry, or women whose husbands have retired or are deceased. Nominees should be a woman who has a distinct denominational contribution beyond service in the local church.

 

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Spiritual Warfare for Women
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Online Bible Study to begin February 12th.  Private & Safe in the forum.  Order your book and sign-up here.  MINISTRY Wives ONLY. 
Sign in each week and join other ministry wives for a Bible Study meant just for us.

The enemy is real, and his mission is to hurt you, your family, and your relationships. But the enemy has no weapon that could ever compare to God's love. Through the study Spiritual Warfare for Women you will
�Overcome your fear by understanding the extent and limitations of Satan's power
� Identify Satan's strategic plan to destroy your marriage, your children, your friendships, your health and your church.
� Understand victory in spiritual warfare and win the battles Satan brings against you.
� Effectively handle five weapons God's given you to win your spiritual battles.

  The author, Leighann McCoy will lead this study. As a pastor's wife, mother, and ministry leader she knows what it's like to be up close and personal in battling the enemy. Through her transparency and humor you will discover that every attack from the enemy brings with it a divine invitation from the sovereign hand of God to learn by experience what Love does.
Faithful Workouts 
Introducing our new fitness program that combines our faith and workouts for the ultimate fitness program.  We hope you will join us for these free video workout online and also nutritional tips as well.  Let's take care of the temple this year.  Get fit God's way!  Through the link you can watch a free work out video set to Christian music. 

Our instructor is Michelle Spadafora.  Michelle lives in Colorado with her husband Jeff and their three children Denika, Neal and Quinn.  She has a passion for helping people take a Biblical approach to exercise, healthy eating and spiritual development. She has been in the fitness industry for over 25 years but it wasn't until she was 40 years old and became a Christian that she began to bring her faith into her workouts. What was her profession is now her passion. She believes her Ephesians 2:10 (the good works that God planned in advance) is to help people find more joy in the journey toward physical and spiritual health.

Ladies, Michelle is offering her online videos to us for free and if you want to join her program you can follow the steps on the website to do so.  You can choose the best plan for you and then enter the code "Group"  for a 25% discount.  Her goal is for us to be fit and healthy in order to be all that God wants for us to be!

In the coming weeks we will have a permanent page on CJ4H linking her to our site and more videos until then check out the video and the website by clicking here.  Maybe you could even join me to a healthier body in 2014!
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Women's Leadership Consultation - February 6-8, 2014 - New Orleans

 
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Click on the pic below for a chance to win  "Why Do You Believe That?" 6 week Bible Study kit. We have 7 to give away.   Each time you check out the Women's Leadership Consultation website you will be entered for a chance to win a Bible study kit.  Drawing will take place February 8th CJ4H booth @ the WLC. 

Mary Jo Sharp  A former atheist from the Pacific Northwest who thought religion was for the weak-minded, Mary Jo is now a Christian author and apologist.  A clear communicator with a teacher's heart, she finds great joy in discussing the deep truths of her Savior. She enjoys conversing with people of differing views,and has even engaged in formal debates with Muslims.

 

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