You got me thinking

You Are What You Think

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This talk covers David Stoop's book, "You Are What You Think". This book explains the importance of self-talk and its impact on our emotions and behaviour. The author explores how our thoughts can lead to anxiety, depression, anger, and stress. He then presents principles for improving self-talk, focusing on replacing irrational beliefs with positive affirmations and developing a more assertive and loving approach to life. Finally, the text examines the dangers of presumptuousness and highlights the crucial difference between faith and demanding results from God.


Key Ideas and Facts:

  • A + B = C: Stoop presents a simple formula where A represents activating events, B represents our beliefs and Self-Talk, and C represents the consequences, including our emotional and behavioural responses. He emphasises that while we cannot always control the activating events (A), we can control our thoughts (B) and consequently influence the outcomes (C).
    • Power of Words: Stoop highlights the immense power of both spoken and unspoken words, drawing parallels from biblical examples like David and Goliath and modern figures like Winston Churchill. He argues that words are not simply expressions but active forces that release power, either positive or negative.
      • Faith as a Process: Stoop redefines faith not as a belief in a deity, but as a universal process of life where everyone places their faith in something. He argues that our Self-Talk reveals the object of our faith, demonstrating how negative Self-Talk can release power towards negative outcomes, just as positive Self-Talk can empower us.
        • Impact of Upbringing: Stoop explores how our childhood experiences, particularly within our families, shape our Self-Talk and belief systems. He highlights how parental actions, messages, and family dynamics can create distorted perceptions and negative Self-Talk patterns that persist into adulthood.
          • Applications to Specific Issues: Stoop dedicates individual chapters to applying the principles of Self-Talk to managing anger, depression, guilt, worry, anxiety, and stress. He provides practical techniques and strategies for identifying and challenging negative Self-Talk patterns and replacing them with constructive, faith-based affirmations. For instance, he explains how anger stems from "should" statements and encourages replacing them with "want" statements.
            • Self-Talk and Forgiveness: The book emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, both of others and ourselves. Stoop demonstrates how unforgiveness fuels negative Self-Talk and hinders emotional healing. He encourages readers to release guilt and anger by embracing forgiveness.
              • Importance of Trust in God: Throughout the book, Stoop emphasizes the centrality of trusting in God and aligning our Self-Talk with biblical principles. He argues that true self-control comes from surrendering control to God and embracing His promises.

                • Most Important Ideas:

                1. Self-Talk is the key to self-control and personal growth.
                2. Our upbringing significantly shapes our Self-Talk patterns.
                3. We can control our emotions and behaviours by changing our thoughts.
                4. Forgiveness is essential for breaking free from negative Self-Talk.
                5. True faith and trust in God empower us to overcome challenges.
                  6. ...more
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                  You got me thinkingBy YWAM Hainichen