Administrators Gail Posted February 9, 2016 Administrators Posted February 9, 2016 I am just listening to a very interesting podcast regarding mental health and the role of distorted thinking has in it. The speaker doesn't go into detail about how distorted thinking comes about, just the correlation between it and mental health. My question is: How does one get distorted thinking? Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted February 9, 2016 Members Posted February 9, 2016 one way is bad "self-talk" -- say someone makes a neutral or slightly negative comment about one's looks or one's pet idea. Distorted thinking could begin if the target person starts thinking that *everyone* has those opinions, and s/he then begins to obsess about it, and perhaps a downward spiral of self-worth begins. Or paranoid thinking begins ... e.g., someone is "picking on" him/her, when in actuality, nothing of the sort is happening. Gail 1 Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others?
Geoarrge Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 It usually boils down to having a view of reality that is, in at least a small sense, narcissistic. We find ourselves bending our actual observations to fit what we find to be comfortable. In a general sense, to avoid this we should practice mindfulness, situational awareness, and learn to be tolerant of discomfort. Quote To be an agent of creation is to serve the Creator.
Administrators Naomi Posted February 10, 2016 Administrators Posted February 10, 2016 Often times in a personal relationship, whether it is a significant other or marital, one partner can become verbally abusive. It can also originate from critical thinking parents or siblings. After days, weeks, months or years of being told that you are stupid, fat, lazy, etc. one begins to buy into a negative view of ones self. Therefore, distorted thinking ensues. rudywoofs (Pam), 8thdaypriest, Liz and 1 other 4 Quote If your dreams are not big enough to scare you, they are not big enough for God
GayatfootofCross Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 One of the big ways to help distorted thinking is being transparent and connected to community. A place where many people can come together and reason and find wisdom in counsel of many. Church is one such Community! God really does know what is best for us. Problem is safety and trust has to be put in place first. O the risk to be vulnerable and to find like minded individuals to be authentic with! JoeMo 1 Quote For all Eternity God waited in anticipation for You to show up to give You a Message - YOUR INCLUDED !!! { a merry dance }?️? " If you tarry 'til you're better You will never come at all " .. "I Will Rise" by the late great saved Glen Campbell If your picture of God is starting to feel too good to be true, you're starting to move in the right direction. "My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite." Romeo and Juliet
Administrators Gail Posted February 10, 2016 Author Administrators Posted February 10, 2016 Lots of wisdom here! Distorted thinking seems to develop with the right combination of personal and external feedback. Naomi 1 Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
aka Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things. LifeHiscost 1 Quote
aka Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 Proverbs 24:9 The thinking of foolishness is sin, and the scorner is an abomination to men. Martn and LifeHiscost 2 Quote
GayatfootofCross Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 We are not to even judge ourselves 1 Cor 4:3 Imagine how much distortion lessons on these two things alone! Tom Wetmore 1 Quote For all Eternity God waited in anticipation for You to show up to give You a Message - YOUR INCLUDED !!! { a merry dance }?️? " If you tarry 'til you're better You will never come at all " .. "I Will Rise" by the late great saved Glen Campbell If your picture of God is starting to feel too good to be true, you're starting to move in the right direction. "My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite." Romeo and Juliet
Administrators Gail Posted February 10, 2016 Author Administrators Posted February 10, 2016 This is one area where, again, my self-promoting nature pops up far worse than I imagined. It is an interesting subject. Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
JoeMo Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 14 hours ago, GayatfootofCross said: One of the big ways to help distorted thinking is being transparent and connected to community. A place where many people can come together and reason and find wisdom in counsel of many. Church is one such Community! O the risk to be vulnerable and to find like minded individuals to be authentic with! I like the vibe of this post. It does take a special church to foster openness. Many people get into distorted thought patterns because they feel that they can't "talk to people about their issues. We wear masks - especially at church - to hide our true selves and our issues and trials. Some of us tend to show others how much we are pleasing God rather than showing them how much we need and rely on God's grace. We strive so hard to overcome our sins on our own; while hiding our issues from our brothers and sisters. This results in many feeling guilty for not overcoming sin and like hypocrites for hiding our sin. We need to work on our sins together with God and our fellow believers. Here's some indications of how "comfortable" people are in your congregation with trusting others with their sin problems: If your church started an AA 12-step program (either for alcohol or drugs), how many church members would attend? If your church started a ministry for LGBTs, how many from church would even support it, much less participate? If your church started a group for couples having marital problems, how many people would attend? If your church has over 150 people, chances are there are people in the congregation that need these things. Is there grace enough in your church to openly accept people with these issues to correct their distorted thoughts about being losers, and sinners; and that God couldn't possibly love a jerk like him/her? We're studying a book called "True-Faced" by Bill Thrall and others that addresses how to trust God and your peers with who you really are rather than your distorted view of how you think you should be. Good read; and valuable for those who worry about distorted thinking about themselves and/or who God thinks they are. Gail and GayatfootofCross 2 Quote
8thdaypriest Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 I agree that folks "learn" to view themselves thru the eyes of significant others. They incorporate "distorted" messages, into their understanding of SELF. When someone suffers abuse from others, or from parents during childhood - those "messages" stay with them for life - unless loving supportive persons begin to speak other "messages" of love and value. Unfortunately, the Bible can be used to speak messages of condemnation, as well as messages of love, and worth, and acceptance. I have a friend whose mother was bi-polar. She could do the same thing on Monday, and her mom would think it cute. On Friday, she would think it boring. And by Sunday, mom would punish her for the same thing she did on Monday. How is this child supposed to develop a healthy self-image. She wouldn't know whether she was good, or bad, or boring. Noone yet has mentioned how the constant messages of DEMONS - spoken into an already sensitive mind, can cement thoughts and feelings of poor self-worth. DEMONS magnify the distorted views which we take in from others. When we pray for someone, we MUST specifically pray for their protection from DEMONS. JoeMo and Gail 2 Quote 8thdaypriest
JoeMo Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 2 hours ago, 8thdaypriest said: Noone yet has mentioned how the constant messages of DEMONS - spoken into an already sensitive mind, can cement thoughts and feelings of poor self-worth. DEMONS magnify the distorted views which we take in from others. When we pray for someone, we MUST specifically pray for their protection from DEMONS. I agree that the thoughts that evil spirits put into our minds totally aggravate distorted thinking. To make it worse, most people cannot discern the difference between self-talk, the voice of the Holy Spirit, and the voices of unholy spirits. Many (if not most) of us view all internal talk as self-talk; and if we can't believe ourselves, who can we believe? GayatfootofCross and Femster 2 Quote
Administrators Gail Posted February 10, 2016 Author Administrators Posted February 10, 2016 And self-talk in both directions: demeaning to oneself and demeaning concerning others while uplifting oneself. Joel Melashenko, Naomi and JoeMo 3 Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
LifeHiscost Posted February 10, 2016 Posted February 10, 2016 2 hours ago, JoeMo said: I agree that the thoughts that evil spirits put into our minds totally aggravate distorted thinking. To make it worse, most people cannot discern the difference between self-talk, the voice of the Holy Spirit, and the voices of unholy spirits. Many (if not most) of us view all internal talk as self-talk; and if we can't believe ourselves, who can we believe? A problem might be that some of us don't see Jesus as much of a persona Friend andl Protector as we see His archenemy a personal enemy. God is Love!~Jesus saves! 8thdaypriest 1 Quote Lift Jesus up!!
Administrators Gail Posted February 11, 2016 Author Administrators Posted February 11, 2016 So... Seeing as distorted thinking is a symptom of emotional unsoundness, how would you recognise it? How would you change it? Say in the case of negative self-talk, can you simply, "Stop it!"? Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted February 11, 2016 Members Posted February 11, 2016 1 hour ago, Gail said: So... Seeing as distorted thinking is a symptom of emotional unsoundness, how would you recognise it? How would you change it? Say in the case of negative self-talk, can you simply, "Stop it!"? so many people will tell someone just to "stop it" — but that's just not a helpful thing to say, and it certainly isn't easy to do. Some will say, "just ask God to help you to stop it," but *that* can sometimes backfire, as well, if the person asks, but it didn't help. My own experience is that it takes an awful lot of work with a good counselor (imho, that's how God helps) to get out of the negative way of thinking. CoAspen 1 Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others?
Administrators Gail Posted February 11, 2016 Author Administrators Posted February 11, 2016 Can you imagine how your whole life could be affected? Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
8thdaypriest Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 15 hours ago, Gail said: So... Seeing as distorted thinking is a symptom of emotional unsoundness, how would you recognise it? How would you change it? Say in the case of negative self-talk, can you simply, "Stop it!"? For some 20 (age 11 to age 31) years I had a "voice" (sounded like self-talk) saying "You're weird. No one likes you." I met Jesus when was almost 31. I began reading everything I could find. My Mom ran across some tapes and a self-help book about demonic harassment. After reading the book and listening, I had STILL had not connected the dots. I visited an SDA church. I left early 'cause I didn't want to meet people. Going down the church steps 'the voice' again said. "You're weird. No one will like you." Then ANOTHER 'voice' broke in. It said emphatically, "That's Satan!' At that moment - I finally connected the dots. I sat in my car and prayed. I asked Jesus to deliver me. Then - in the NAME of Jesus, I commanded the demon to leave me alone and never trouble me with those words again. He left. He tried again about six months later, but I recognized him right away. I rebuked him again, in the name of Jesus, and commanded him to leave, and not send any replacement, or substitute. Most folks do not realize that Satan claims grounds based upon the sin of your mother or father, or even grandfather, or grandmother. You must close that door too. GayatfootofCross, LifeHiscost and JoeMo 3 Quote 8thdaypriest
8thdaypriest Posted February 11, 2016 Posted February 11, 2016 Distorted thinking is BASED upon a LIE. The "CURE" is TRUTH. All LIES result in distorted thinking, IF the lie is believed, and becomes part of the persons belief system - about themselves, or about others, about the church, about whatever.... That is one reason I LOVE this forum. It exposes LIES and flasehoods. Even though the misunderstanding of some portion of Scripture, or the misunderstanding of God's character or HIs will, is small. Even a small distortion of truth, will grow and grow, until it causes great misunderstanding. The end result is a change of behavior - towards God, or towards others, or towards self. Sometimes it causes one to give up - thinking God could never forgive their particular sins. phkrause, JoeMo, GayatfootofCross and 1 other 4 Quote 8thdaypriest
Administrators Gail Posted February 11, 2016 Author Administrators Posted February 11, 2016 Yes, misinformation coming IN would cause a distortion. But people, because of this internal negative self-talk, can interpret a statement and worm a positive into a negative. Perhaps we are just not aware how much grace we need! 8thdaypriest, Joel Melashenko, JoeMo and 1 other 4 Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
GayatfootofCross Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 on my facebook Cheri Peters i have so many friends right now dealing with horrendous issues, me too. So many of us are looking for someone to blame or someone to make it right. i believe that God gave me this thought, "no one is guilty , no one is innocent ... and the Blood of Jesus covers us all" We are set free of our past because of what Jesus did... we can lay down all the shame, guilt. and trauma at His feet. He will carry it... He cares about it... He has saved us, even from ourselves. That's good news! LifeHiscost and Gail 2 Quote For all Eternity God waited in anticipation for You to show up to give You a Message - YOUR INCLUDED !!! { a merry dance }?️? " If you tarry 'til you're better You will never come at all " .. "I Will Rise" by the late great saved Glen Campbell If your picture of God is starting to feel too good to be true, you're starting to move in the right direction. "My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite." Romeo and Juliet
Aliensanctuary Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 We've probably all suffered from distorted thinking at one time or another. I never really thought about it until reading the OP. I do see the transmission of distorted thinking from my parents to myself and my siblings, not totally, but to at least to some extent. I do appreciate the likelihood of telepathic demons trolling unsuspecting humans, ever looking to gain a foothold in weak human minds. So many seem hopelessly trapped in self-destructive or murderous behavior, sometimes masquerading as religion. It would take a miracle to turn demon-infested mass-murderers away from their crimes instigated by toxic religion and towards the goodness of Christ. Maybe, in a way, we are all mentally ill to some extent, being mostly unable to perceive reality or change our behaviors because of our distorted thinking patterns and weakness in the fight against telepathic demons. Once we receive the Spirit of God, our eyes will be opened and we will have a defense against the powers of darkness which always lead to death. 8thdaypriest, Gail and Naomi 3 Quote The Parable of the Lamb and the Pigpen https://www.createspace.com/3401451
8thdaypriest Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 A friend shared the thought from her devotional this morning: If you think you have laid all your cares upon Jesus, but you go on about your day and you STILL feel the weight - it means you didn't really transfer that load. You were just complaining. LOL. Love that. phkrause, Naomi, GayatfootofCross and 1 other 4 Quote 8thdaypriest
Administrators Gail Posted February 12, 2016 Author Administrators Posted February 12, 2016 8 hours ago, Aliensanctuary said: We've probably all suffered from distorted thinking at one time or another. I never really thought about it until reading the OP. I do see the transmission of distorted thinking from my parents to myself and my siblings, not totally, but to at least to some extent. I do appreciate the likelihood of telepathic demons trolling unsuspecting humans, ever looking to gain a foothold in weak human minds. So many seem hopelessly trapped in self-destructive or murderous behavior, sometimes masquerading as religion. It would take a miracle to turn demon-infested mass-murderers away from their crimes instigated by toxic religion and towards the goodness of Christ. Maybe, in a way, we are all mentally ill to some extent, being mostly unable to perceive reality or change our behaviors because of our distorted thinking patterns and weakness in the fight against telepathic demons. Once we receive the Spirit of God, our eyes will be opened and we will have a defense against the powers of darkness which always lead to death. I wonder, also, who truly is exempt. At what point does distorted thinking become problematic? We mortals likely have a different line in the sand than God does, but OTOH the potential for His healing may prove different also. And he shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free- John 8:32 In this context, this work of discovering the truth and then confronting those thoughts in our minds which are defeating us, may take a lifetime. Joel Melashenko and Naomi 2 Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
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