Optimistic Journey » Healthy Mindset

Trash In, Trash Out

Jarrod Clark — Fri, 18 May 2012 05:15:42 +0000

What you expose yourself to is the course that your life will take. Day in and day out, we’re exposed to a lot. There is so much grabbing our attention.

From the people we hang out with, to the music we listen to and the shows we watch, there are a lot of influences that can either help or hurt us.

That’s why it’s important for us to guard what goes on the inside. I love the way Proverbs 4:23 puts it. It urges us to guard our heart with all diligence, for everything we do flows from it.

It’s hard to totally block everything that comes at you on a daily basis. But for much of the time, you can control a great majority of what goes in.

Let me encourage you today. Guard your ear gate and your eye gate. Choose to listen to something that is uplifting. Watch something that’s encouraging and inspiring. Read a good book. Open up the Bible and meditate on a scripture.

Don’t expose yourself to something that’s going to tear you down. Don’t listen to something that’s going to discourage you and influence you in a negative way. Make a choice to watch something that’s going to build you up.

You may be familiar with a quote that simply says, “trash in, trash out.” This says it all. When you put trash on the inside, it’s going to be reflective in your interactions with others. If you listen to music that’s degrading and is an overall bad influence, it’s going to affect you in one way or another. When you watch movies that promote violence, negativity, and immorality then it’s going to affect your decisions and bring the same out of you.

Make a choice to guard your heart. Watch what you allow to enter your eyes and ears. Listen to something that’s going to promote empowerment and positivity. Then, the course of your life will take a turn for the better as you charge forth on your journey!

If you liked this article, be sure to share it on Twitter and Facebook. If reading this article via email, forward it to a friend. Also, click here to visit the site. Leave a comment and participate in the online community. Also be sure to follow Optimistic Journey on Facebook and Twitter:

Optimistic Journey on Facebook

@JarrodInspires on Twitter

September 26, 2011 -- Change The Channel (2)

The Naysayer Within

Jarrod Clark — Wed, 09 May 2012 05:15:18 +0000

I heard an interesting statistic. We believe more of what we say about ourselves than what anyone else says about us. Unfortunately, the problem comes into play when we become our own voice of defeat. We become our own worst critic and naysayer.

If we could play back the words and thoughts that we think, we would realize why we never accomplished that dream. We would soon find out why we never met that goal and came into that victory. It’s because the whole time we’ve been allowing the negative voice of defeat to set in.

Make a choice today to speak victory into your life. Speak hope, blessings and courage into your destiny.

The scripture says that God has given us a choice. He has set before us blessings and curses. He’s given us a choice at life and death. He then urges us to choose life!

Friends, also remember what else God’s Word says. It says that life and death lies in the power of the tongue. You have the choice to continue to speak death, curses, and defeat over yourself- or you can speak victory, hope, and prosperity into your future.

At least if others around you are speaking against your God-given destiny, you can tune them out. You can get a new circle of friends. But if it’s your own voice and thoughts then that puts you at a disadvantage. You would be doomed for defeat.

So don’t become your own worst critic. Don’t be the naysayer within. No, be a “yay-sayer”. Speak a yes into your future.

God has an expected end waiting in store for you. But in order to come into this hope, you’ll have to start by speaking life and blessings. When you do so, you’ll come into the abundant life that God has for you as you charge forth on your journey!

Optimistic Journey on Facebook

@JarrodInspires on Twitter

July 10, 2011 -- Make Positive Declarations (0)
March 29, 2011 -- There’s Power In The Tongue! (0)
March 29, 2012 -- Pick up Your Bed and Walk (1)
March 28, 2012 -- Let it Bounce Off (0)
November 23, 2011 -- It’s Easier Said than Done (0)

Take Captive Every Thought

Jarrod Clark — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 05:15:23 +0000

We experience many thoughts on a daily basis. Where many go wrong is they make the mistake of entertaining the wrong thoughts.

Every thought that enters your mind is not yours to entertain. 2 Corinthians 10:5 admonishes us to cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

When a thought enters your mind and it conflicts with what the word of God says, take it into captivity. Bring it into the obedience of Christ.

Maybe you want to break a bad addition, but your thoughts are, “I’ve been doing this for years, it’s become a part of my life. I can’t stop now.” Well realize that this doesn’t line up with the word of God. The scripture says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Maybe you’re hard pressed on every side. And all around you is trouble and distress. It’s easy to think that God has forgotten about you. It’s easy to think that you’re cursed. Well don’t let these thoughts take root. Don’t let them form strongholds. No, you have to line them up with God’s word.

Your declaration should be, “I am blessed and highly favored of the Lord.” “I am blessed going in and blessed coming out.” Your thoughts should be, “I know how it looks. But God’s word says ‘Never will He leave me, or forsake me.’”

When the enemy comes at you with negative thoughts of defeat and destruction, fight back with what the word of God says about you. Take captive every thought and bring them into obedience with Christ and experience more of the victory God has for you as you charge forth on your journey of life!

Optimistic Journey on Facebook

@JarrodInspires on Twitter

April 23, 2012 -- Vlogisode #3 – Launch Out Into the Deep (Video) (0)
March 1, 2012 -- A Ram in The Bush (0)
March 28, 2012 -- Let it Bounce Off (0)
March 27, 2012 -- Make It Bigger and Better! (0)
March 23, 2012 -- Good Things Happen When You Diligently Seek God (1)

Be of Good Cheer Along the Way!

Jarrod Clark — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:21:31 +0000

The scripture says that if you’ll wait on the Lord and be of good cheer, He’ll strengthen your heart. God is moved when we go through a difficult time with a good attitude.

He’s impressed when you smile during a hardship or a setback. Instead of complaining, getting down in the dumps and growing sour on life, choose to go forth with an attitude of gratitude. Be of good cheer while you wait on God’s promises to come to pass.

Notice the scripture doesn’t say to wait on the Lord and have a bad attitude… It doesn’t say to wait on the Lord and voice your complaint. No, it says to wait on the Lord and be of good cheer, He’ll then strengthen your heart.

When the bitter waters of life come your way, change your declaration. Change your perspective. Choose to be of good courage.

That’s not to say you won’t get discouraged. It’s not to say that you won’t be tempted to throw a pity party. In fact, everyday is not promised to be sunshine. Sometimes you’ll get a little rain. You’ll get a little pain. But if you’ll do your best, God will do the rest.

If you’ll stay in good cheer God will remain near, and He’ll strengthen your heart. No matter what you’re going through, no matter what the circumstance, choose to be of good courage. You may be facing doom and gloom but your declaration should be, “I know what it looks like, but I’m going to stand in faith and be of good cheer along the way.” When you choose to do so, the Lord will strengthen your heart and bring you into your season of hope and victory as you charge forth on your journey of life!

Optimistic Journey on Facebook

@JarrodInspires on Twitter

March 15, 2012 -- When Life Gives You Rocky Roads… (1)
March 6, 2012 -- You Can’t Have Too Much Jesus (0)
February 27, 2012 -- In Your appointed Time (1)
February 21, 2012 -- And it Came to Pass… (0)
November 7, 2011 -- It’s All in the Attitude! (0)

Think About What You’re Thinking About

Jarrod Clark — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:21:07 +0000

Too often, we think about things that aren’t uplifting and encouraging. We focus on the things that we can’t do rather than dwelling on the things we can do.

Many will look at what others are doing, their accomplishments, and what they have going for them. In the interim, they’ll discount what they have going for themselves.

But it’s not God’s will for us to go around with a negative, defeated and less-than mindset. No, God’s Word says we’re overcomers! We’re more than a conqueror. We can do all things through Christ which strengthens us. God wants us to think on things that are virtuous, noble, and true. Things that are of a good report and worthy of praise.

If someone played a recording back of the things that you thought about, you would probably be embarrassed and feel ashamed. You would probably be tempted to think, surely I don’t think those thoughts. But if you only knew the negative thinking that happens day in and day out, you would understand why you never accomplished that achievement. You would know why you were unable to overcome that bad habit. You’d know why you had unfulfilled visions and broken dreams.

Know today, you can make a brand new start. Think about what you’re thinking about. Be conscious of any negative thoughts that you have.

When that voice of defeat comes in and says, “you can’t do this… you don’t have the talents or credentials.” Cancel it out by saying, “I’m more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus.” If all you can think about is the bad breaks, closed doors or failed opportunities, chime in by saying, “this closed door is a blessing in disguise. It simply means I’m growing closer and closer toward my God-given destiny.”

If you’re tempted to think that you’re at a loss or you have a major disadvantage, shake it off. Let go of the stinkin’ thinkin’. Dig your heels in. Stand tall, put your shoulders back and boldly declare, “I’m an overcomer, I have an advantage. I’m on the winning side!”

Made a choice today to change your thinking habits. Think about what you’re thinking about. Change the playback of your mental recording to a more positive, encouraging and uplifting tune. When you do so, you’ll began to clearly see the seeds of greatness that God has sown on the inside as you charge forth on your journey of life!

Optimistic Journey on Facebook

@JarrodInspires on Twitter

June 23, 2011 -- He Always Builds You Up! (0)
March 7, 2011 -- It All Starts With A Thought (0)
March 22, 2012 -- Take Captive Every Thought (1)
January 10, 2012 -- Meditate on These Things (2)
September 12, 2011 -- Look for the Silver Lining (0)

How to Get Peace of Mind

Jarrod Clark — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:23:23 +0000

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7

It’s not God’s will for us to go around stressed, troubled and in turmoil. He wants us to have his perfect peace.

In John 14:27, Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Too often, we don’t take this advantage that God has given us. We allow the little things to stress, worry, and throw us off track.

Below is my video on how to take part in this advantage God has given us. It lists four tips on how to get peace of mind. I hope you’ll check it out and I hope it blesses you.

One thing I didn’t mention in the video is Isaiah 26:3 which says, “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You. Because he trusts in You.” This lets us know that If we will take our mind off the worries and cares that don’t matter and focus on the Lord, He will keep us in his perfect peace. That sounds like a good deal to me.

I think about Peter, the disciple of Christ, and how he was walking on the water to Jesus. The second he took his eyes off Christ and began to look at the winds and waves, that’s when he began to sink.

For many of us that’s whats happening. We’re taking our focus off the things that do matter and dwelling on the pointless things that don’t matter. And in the interim, we’re sinking in turmoil, worry, stress, fear, doubt and anxiety. If you will keep your thoughts, focus and attention on God, He will be sure to keep you in His perfect peace as you charge forth on your journey of life!

Optimistic Journey on Facebook

@JarrodInspires on Twitter

October 5, 2011 -- God is Working (You Can Go on Autopilot) (5)
June 10, 2010 -- Make Your Appointment With Fear Today! (7)
December 23, 2011 -- Have Yourself a Very Fearless Christmas! (0)
October 6, 2011 -- The Choice is Yours (6)
August 3, 2011 -- His Peace is Available to You! (2)

10 Ways to Have a Complete Joy-filled Day!

Jarrod Clark — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:22:05 +0000

God wants you to live an abundant life. He doesn’t want you to just get by. He doesn’t want you to live an ordinary, average or mediocre life. No, He wants your days to be full of joy, enthusiasm and excitement. Here are 10 practical tips to get you on the road to a life full of a complete joy.

1. Devotion – Start your day off on the right foot. Have your prayer time with God. Study and meditate on His word. It’s great momentum for the rest of the day. And it can suit you better than any coffee, instant tea or hot chocolate ever can. It’s a sure way to build your day on a solid foundation.

2. Feed yourself – Studies show that you’re not you, when you’re hungry. You’re cranky, moody, irritable and on edge. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It gives you a boost of great energy. Having a healthy breakfast is a great way to start your day.

3. Smile – One of the greatest gifts God has given you is your smile. Nehemiah 8:10 says that the joy of the Lord is your strength. Wear your joy and wear it well. Studies show that when you smile, you’re subconsciously communicating to yourself that everything is going to be okay. Make a decision to smile, it’s a win-win. Not only are you benefiting yourself but you’re bringing joy to another person’s day by being a light in a dark world.

4. Build up another – A great way to bring joy to a sad time is to build up another person. Encourage someone today. Tell someone they are the apple of God’s eyes. Let them know they are blessed and highly favored of the Lord. Remind them that they are God’s most prized possession.

5. Exercise – One of the greatest stress relievers is physical fitness. It doesn’t take much. Some experts say just a few minutes of physical exercise per day is a great way to relieve stress. In doing so, your body is releasing natural chemicals that give you a sense of complete joy and well being.

6. Do a Good Deed – Much of what Jesus did while he was here on earth was simply do good deeds. In Acts 10:38, Peter makes reference to John’s preaching about how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good… One of the greatest ways to bring joy to your day is by simply “doing good.” Think of one good deed you can do for a friend and do it. You’ll be surprised at how much joy there is in putting others ahead of yourself. Remember, you reap what you sow. God will turn around and bless you in return.

7. Think good thoughts – When you go around focused on the negative, you’re robbing yourself of joy, peace, and wholeness. God’s Word says to think about things that are virtuous, noble and excellent. Think on things that are pure, things that are of a good report and worthy of praise. When you meditate and think on good things the Lord will satisfy your day with increase, favor, joy and peace.

8. Express gratitude – I always like to say, “when you complain, you remain. When you express gratitude, you change your altitude.” Count your blessings. Express your gratitude and look for the Lord to open up doors of opportunities and enlarge your territory!

9. Get plenty of rest – This is a hard one for the ‘go getters’ to swallow, but the truth is we must get plenty of rest. When you get the proper amount of rest you’ll wake up refreshed, energized and ready to face your brand new day with excitement. It also impacts your attitude.

10. Rinse and repeat – Be consistent. Make it a lifestyle. Don’t just do it once. No, results come with consistency. Shake off the burdens of the day. Leave your cares with the Lord. Wake up the next day, wipe the slate clean and do it all over again. When you do so you’ll find increasing joy in every area of your life as you charge forth on your journey!

Optimistic Journey on Facebook

@JarrodInspires on Twitter

May 15, 2012 -- How to Enjoy Your Life! (Video) (0)
October 6, 2011 -- The Choice is Yours (6)
October 5, 2011 -- God is Working (You Can Go on Autopilot) (5)
September 5, 2011 -- Happiness Even During the Storm (3)
June 24, 2010 -- 3 Ways to Combat Stress (3)

Stuck in a Rut? How to Get Out

Jarrod Clark — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:49:40 +0000

By nature, we all desire to progress forward in life. We all have hopes, visions and dreams. But for many, its the same day in and day out, year in and year out.

For some, traditions are holding them back. Others fall prey to the barely-get-by, lackadaisical mindset. But know today that we serve a God who makes all things new. He doesn’t want you to be stuck in a rut. He wants to bring you into increase, promotion, and a higher dimension.

If you’re going to come into your God-given destiny, you’re going to have to leave the old mindset behind. Don’t fall prey to that toxic mindset that says, “I’ll never achieve that dream” or “I don’t have the talents to be an achiever.”

Don’t say what you can’t do, say what you can do. Don’t be stagnant, make positive declarations that will catapult you into your destiny.

I’ve heard it said that you believe more of what you say, than what anybody else says about you. If you’re going around saying, I’ll never break this bad addiction… I never get the right breaks… I never come into the right relationships, then that’s all you’ll ever acquire. Like the Children of Israel in the Bible, you’ll be stuck in a rut. You’ll be circling that same mountain over and over again, day in and day out.

In order to progress, you’re going to have to break bad traditions. If you’re going to stretch forth to the next level, you’ll have to change some things.

Instead of saying, I don’t have the talents, say I have everything I need to do anything I could imagine. Instead of saying, this relationship will never work, your declaration should be, I serve a God who mends broken relationships.

I’ve heard a great saying, “When you complain, you remain.” If you’re going to progress in life, you must first believe that a change is yet at hand. You’ll have to get rid of the limiting, defeating mindset and believe that you can achieve those dreams. You can get that promotion. You can break through into a higher dimension.

I always say, “change your I can’ts to the I cans.” In other words, let your declaration be, I can recover from a bad break. I can achieve the unachievable. I can break down the walls stagnation. When you do so, you’ll discover that with God, you’ll come into bigger opportunities, better relationships, and fulfilled dreams as you charge forth on your journey of life!

Optimistic Journey on Facebook

@JarrodLClark on Twitter

February 22, 2012 -- Take the Other Route (1)
April 23, 2012 -- Vlogisode #3 – Launch Out Into the Deep (Video) (0)
April 4, 2012 -- Mind Over Matter… or God Over Matter? (0)
January 18, 2012 -- Have A Right Now Faith! (2)
August 19, 2011 -- Don’t Limit Yourself (0)

Choose Your Thoughts

Jarrod Clark — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:26:23 +0000

“…For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” – Matthew 12:34

God has given us the wonderful gift of choice. And one of those choices is the ability to choose our thoughts. Day in and day out, we’re bombarded with thousands of thoughts. Some are good and some are bad.

I’ve heard it said that the average person has somewhere around 7,500 bad thoughts a day. This may be an alarming statistic to swallow but the truth is, you can change those negative, defeating thoughts.

Here’s the key, you don’t have to entertain every thought that enters your mind. Whatever you meditate on will take root, multiply, and grow.

If you’re unsuccessful at something, don’t meditate on what went wrong, dwell on what went right. if a friend betrayed you, don’t think that you’re “less than” or “not good enough.” No, your thought should be, “It’s their loss.” “That person lost a good thing.”

Maybe you had a bad day, and you’re tempted to get in despair. Your declaration should be, “as long as I’m among the living, I have hope.”

You see, the enemy wants to get you down in the dumps. The scripture says that the thief came to steal, kill, and destroy. How does he do that? Partly by appealing to your thoughts. The enemy wants to plant negative seeds of doubt, discouragement and defeat into your mind.

But you don’t have to be a slave to your negative thoughts. No, there’s a better way. God wants you to have an abundant life. A life full of peace, wholeness and joy.

I love how Philippians 4:8 puts it. It says, “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.

In other words, if it’s not building you up, don’t think about it. If it doesn’t bring a smile to your face, don’t think about it. If someone says something about you and it’s not true, don’t think about it. If it’s defeating you, don’t think about it.

If it’s causing you stress and bad health, don’t think about it. If the critics and naysayers come at you with a false negative report, don’t think about it. If an enemy comes at you with a bad accusation, don’t think about it. Notice, none of these things are noble, admirable, excellent or worthy of praise.

Next time you’re tempted to complain, remember the Nation of Israel and how they were stuck in the wilderness for forty years. Day in and day out, they circled around that same mountain. They were stuck in a rut. They didn’t progress forward, partly because they complained.

Remember, every complaint starts with a thought. Every thought is a seed. If you plant bad seeds, you’ll reap a bad harvest. Make a choice today. Choose to think positive thoughts of life, abundance, and wholeness as you charge forth on your journey of life!

Optimistic Journey on Facebook

@JarrodLClark on Twitter

January 10, 2012 -- Meditate on These Things (2)
March 22, 2012 -- Take Captive Every Thought (1)
February 13, 2012 -- Think About What You’re Thinking About (0)
September 12, 2011 -- Look for the Silver Lining (0)
March 28, 2012 -- Let it Bounce Off (0)

Meditate on These Things

Jarrod Clark — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:57:46 +0000

“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.” – Philippians 4:8

God wants us to live a life full of peace, wholeness and abundance. And in order to do so, we have to meditate on things that are life giving. He doesn’t want us to worry about things that are out of our control. He wants us to meditate on things that are excellent and praiseworthy.

You have been blessed with the gift of life. Sure it’s full of ups and downs. Yes, it’s easy to focus on your problems, fears and doubts. But God’s Word commands us to think about things that are pure, true, noble– things that are of a good report.

When you choose to focus on the silver lining, you end up feeding and nourishing your spirit. You end up planting good seeds of life on the inside. On the contrary, when you choose to dwell on the negative, you end up bringing unneeded stress and turmoil into your life.

God’s Word is constantly affirming who we are in Him. It says that you are the apple of God’s eye. You are God’s most prized possession. His Word says that you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a peculiar people… It says that with Christ, you can do all things that strengthen you! God’s Word is worthy of praise, meditate on what it says about you.

Even in day to day interactions, you may get sidetracked in route between destinations. That’s an opportunity for you to stop and “smell the roses.” Maybe you just received some good news from a friend. That’s the chance for you to celebrate, rejoice and bask in the favor of the Lord. Think about the excellent things around you- the little ways that God has shown favor towards you.

Don’t worry and focus on the things that are out of your control. Dwell on all the goodness and blessings that the Lord has brought forth.

I’m asking you today to make a life-giving choice. Meditate on things that are pure, things that are of a good report. If it’s worthy of praise, think on those things .When you do so, you’ll see more of God’s peace come to guard your heart and mind as you charge forth on your journey of life!

Optimistic Journey on Facebook

@JarrodLClark on Twitter

January 22, 2012 -- Choose Your Thoughts (2)
February 13, 2012 -- Think About What You’re Thinking About (0)
January 5, 2012 -- Preach Always, Use Words Only when Necessary (0)
October 23, 2011 -- How to Know if God is Speaking to You (vs Satan Speaking to You) (4)
September 12, 2011 -- Look for the Silver Lining (0)

Optimistic Journey » Healthy Mindset

Trash In, Trash Out

Related Posts

The Naysayer Within

Related Posts

Take Captive Every Thought

Related Posts

Be of Good Cheer Along the Way!

Related Posts

Think About What You’re Thinking About

Related Posts

How to Get Peace of Mind

Related Posts

10 Ways to Have a Complete Joy-filled Day!

Related Posts

Stuck in a Rut? How to Get Out

Related Posts

Choose Your Thoughts

Related Posts

Meditate on These Things

Related Posts