What You Don't Feed Dies

by Kay Heitsch

What you don't feed dies! Now that's a fact.

Over the years, I've had to think, "What you don't feed dies!" more than a few times regarding some thoughts and behaviors I wanted to get rid of.

Years ago, I could get myself in an absolute panic over something just by the wrong thoughts I would think about it. For instance, I gave Todd an allergy shot. At first, when I started giving them to him, I would go into a panic. I would start to sweat, shake, breathe heavily. I'd beg Todd to let his dad give him the shot, but oh no, he insisted I could do it. Each day, long before I had to give the injection, I'd think, "Oh, I can't do this. What if he goes into some reaction? What if....?" I'd have myself all worked up just by wrong thinking! It was sad, but I didn't know any better.

When I started to study the Bible, I saw how I was supposed to have this abundant life that Jesus died to give me. John 10:10. I wanted to live this life! But there were a lot of things I had to work out with the Lord. This wrong thinking was a big one. Slowly, I began to understand how my thinking was negatively affecting my life. I needed to stop feeding these negative thoughts. I knew that if I didn't stop feeding these emotions with negative thoughts, it would not be good.

I also learned that replacing wrong thoughts with something positive is an added bonus. When I have to do something that I feel uncomfortable about, I have a few Bible verses I use. One is, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength." Philippians 4:13. Another one is, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7 It's incredible how my life has changed just by taking charge of my thinking.

"What you don't feed dies" I hope one day I won't need to keep reminding myself of this, but until that day comes, I keep pressing on.