Self Talk, Soul Talk

Just wanted to post about a Bible study that I just started with another group of women at church. The basis of the book is about our self talk which goes deep into our soul. After our first meeting today, I have two thoughts that I want to share in regards to self talk.

1. If I wouldn't say it to someone else then I shouldn't say it to myself.
2. I can either control my thoughts or they can control me.

One of the "assignments" is to go through the week and note some of my reoccurring thoughts; then ask if it's encouraging? discouraging? neutral? God driven? Satan driven? constructive? destructive?

I can already give you an example of one reoccurring thought I have and that is before I pray I often give myself a guilt trip that I should either be praying more often or just "talking to God" more often (especially when struggling as a mom or wife) and then most of my prayer is negative and I get the guilties. Today when I prayed, I made myself ignore that thought and made myself focus on who/what I wanted to pray for (yeah, the whole point of my prayer). I must say, it was much more enjoyable and I felt more connected to God as my friend than always feeling guilty/not good enough. So, here is an example of where I chose to control my thoughts and it was a much more positive outcome.