-
Dr. Colbert States, "Your Perceptions Determine ... PRO
Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 19, 2005 (message contributor)
Dr. Colbert states, “Your perceptions determine how you see the world. The mind is similar to a computer –the brain is the hard drive, and the perceptions are the ‘software.’ It is the perception of people, demands, issues, and circumstances-not the actual people, demands, issues, or circumstances in and of themselves-that dictate how a person will react” (33).
a. He notes several distorted thought patterns that people adopt in life.
i. All-or-nothing thinking – For this kind of person, there are no gray areas. Anything less than his standard of ‘perfect’ is worthless (38).
ii. Overgeneralizations – A person who overgeneralizes thinks that if one thing goes wrong, nothing will ever go right for him ever (39).
iii. A negative mental filter – This kind of distortional thinking causes a person to hear a half hour of praise after a job evaluation but leave the meeting depressed because of one area ‘needing improvement’ (39).
iv. Disqualifying the positive – Even more distortional is when a person takes a positive experience and turns it into a negative one. These kind of thinkers feel they are not worthy of any praise under any circumstances (40).
v. Jumping to conclusions – People who jump to conclusions predict the worst possible outcome or circumstance without having any, or all, the facts to support their conclusions (41).
1. Mind reading- you arbitrarily conclude that someone is reacting negatively to you, and you don’t bother to check this out (40).
2. The fortune teller error – you anticipate that things will turn out badly, and you feel convinced that your prediction is an already –established fact.
vi. Magnification (catastrophizing) or minimization – You exaggerate the importance of things (such as your goof up or someone else’s achievement), or you inappropriately shrink things until they appear tiny (your own desirable qualities or the other fellow’s imperfections).
vii. Emotional reasoning – You assume that your negative emotions necessarily reflect the way things really are: “I feel it, therefore it must be true.” (41).
viii. Fixed rule thinking- This person is a ‘should,’ ‘must,’ or ‘ought to’ person. He confines people and events to his rules and fails to realize the fact that he can’t force anyone to adhere to them. The more rigid the rules, the greater the person’s disappointment. That disappointment usually plays out as worry, depression. Frustration, irritation, or guilt (43).
ix. Labeling and mislabeling – A person who attaches a negative label to himself or someone else tends to do so because of his own low self-esteem...
Continue reading this sermon illustration (Free with PRO)Related Sermon Illustrations
-
After A Forest Fire In Yellowstone National Park, ... PRO
Contributed by James Botts on Sep 10, 2002
After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Startled by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. ...read more
-
The Israelites Were Like The Comic Strip ... PRO
Contributed by Mark Engler on Sep 7, 2002
The Israelites were like the comic strip character, Charlie Brown, who said, “There’s no problem ...read more
-
Rick Warren Writes In "The Purpose Driven Life," ... PRO
Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Nov 30, 2004
Rick Warren writes in “The Purpose Driven Life,” “I have been at the bedside of many people in their final moments, when they stand on the edge of eternity, and I have never heard anyone say, “Bring me my diplomas! I want to look at them one more time. Show me my awards, my medals, that gold watch ...read more
-
Alexandra Flynn Of Fremont, Nebraska, Was Looking ... PRO
Contributed by David Ward on Aug 2, 2003
Alexandra Flynn of Fremont, Nebraska, was looking forward to the 2002 homecoming dance. She left home in high spirits, but she did not have her high school ID with her. When the man at the door refused her admission without her ID, she went home to get it. Unable to find it, her mother went with ...read more
-
September 11th, 2001 Just Past 9:00am, Stanley ... PRO
Contributed by James Botts on Sep 10, 2002
September 11th, 2001 just past 9:00am, Stanley Praimnath, Vice President for Fuji Bank, was in his office in the South Tower at WTC when his phone rang. “Are you watching the news?’ asked a woman the Chicago office. “Are you alright?” “I’m fine” he said wondering why she had called. Just then he ...read more
Related Sermons
-
How To Deal With How You Feel Series
Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Mar 31, 2015
This sermon deals with allowing Jesus to be Lord of our Emotions. It is a revision of Rick Warren;s Message in the 50 Days of Transformation Series. I strongly recommend the series for any church seeking to renew itself. Our church members loved it.
-
Coming Off The Mountain
Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Jun 7, 2014
What happens when you descend from a mountaintop experience with Jesus.
-
Twenty Four Seven Three Sixty Five
Contributed by Bruce Lee on Jan 19, 2015
God is always with us. He is often seen through the people around us by their words and actions. There is a great expectation from us that comes through repentance. As God makes a total commitment to us, we must make a total commitment to Him.
-
How To Receive Peace
Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Oct 9, 2014
Be anxious for No Thing. Do not be anxious even over one thing. That's right not One thing.You can chose to worry. You can choose to be anxious or you can chose to take the alternative, And Give It To God.My yoke is easy .and my burden is light.
-
A Wild Life Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 25, 2013
Jesus saved us to live a wild and adventurous life. But how can we do that? We're not apostles like Peter and John were. We don't have their courage and experience. We're just common ordinary folks... or are we?