Stinkin Thinkin

Our overall theme for this meeting was:  Experiencing Being accountable to a “new” family [Ephesians 4.1-6].

Substance abuse professionals and psychologists have created what I call the “top ten list of stinkin’ thinkin’ of a person actively using or in the early stages of recovery.”  (handout of “top ten” available upon request)

Those same professionals suggest that nearly 90% of us are prone to “all or nothing” thinking. 

 All or nothing thinking: We engage in all-or-nothing thinking when we accept thoughts which describe events in black-and-white categories, with no shades of gray. It is a more extreme form of magnification and minimization in which we minimize to the point that many positive aspects of life completely disappear from sight. Such thoughts lead to a kind of perfectionism that defines everything short of 100% success as a failure. To a point, such perfectionism can lead us to try harder; but in the long run, inevitably, it tends to discourage us from trying at all. Since we encounter very little black or white in the real world, this kind of thinking squeezes much of the brightness out of our view of the world: all the shades of gray come to look as black as night.

Let’s look at Hebrews 10.11-25 to discover what the Bible has to say about “all or nothing” thinking. 

v.14 -- Flies in the face of “all or nothing” thinking!  It states that our new life in Christ is a process!   We must adhere to a “Progress not Perfection!” mindset.   Part of what it means to be human is to make mistakes.  We all make mistakes in life and in the process of recovery!  Not a one of us is perfect nor will we ever be!  It doesn’t mean we don’t strive to be better, it means we know we need to continually strive to become better!  If we stumble and fall, we don’t give up; we get up!  If we succeed 51% of the time; we celebrate our victories!  If we mess up it doesn’t mean we are worthless, dumb, and a loser!  It simply reinforces the fact we all HUMAN!! 

It is my opinion that the antidote to ‘StinkinThinkin’ is a vegan diet.

It is a little known fact that the writer of Hebrews penned the first vegan diet in human history.  It’s true.  Check it out.  v. 22-25  instruct us to live a life filled with “lettuce.” 

v. 22 – “let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him.” We have full assurance of our salvation

v. 23 – “let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm …” We have hope for the future

v. 24 – “let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” We can count on the encouragement from a ‘new family.’

v. 25 – “let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another…” No one can stand alone for long on the journey.  If we run from healthy relationships, we are running straight toward a painful relapse.

That’s a lot of lettuce!  Pretty healthy way to live, huh?  Paul McCartney was quoted a couple years ago as saying, “If everyone would adhere to a vegan diet, we could save the planet.”

 I believe it’s true.  If we all adhered to a vegan diet, we could change the world!  The vegan diet listed in the Bible! 

After the lesson, we broke up into small groups to decide on action steps we could and will take to correct our “stinkin’ thinkin’.” 

1.       Read and live out Philippians 4.8

2.       Start each day with reading the Word

3.       Encourage one another via personal contact, phone, text, or email

4.       Invite people who are struggling to Remedy

5.       Listen to AirOne (88.1) or KLOVE to fill our hearts and minds with good, positive music.