Every year we have critters die behind our walls. Likely,
it’s mice that are dearly departing, but a few years ago I swear a moose had
gone to the great beyond behind our bookshelf. This is morbid and this is disgusting.
I understand, but it helps me make a point.
We all have putrid thoughts we allow to fester and run
rampant in our brains for far too long.
Sometimes they die off on their own. And sometimes they
don’t.
Time to give you eight eviction methods that have worked
best for me…
Don’t Ignore the
Smell
Something is rotting in there. You know it, visitors to your
home know it. How does the saying go, the definition of insanity is smelling dead
mice over and over again expecting the smell to go away on its own?
Yeah, I
know, not how the saying goes. But it should be.
Be realistic when your thoughts are causing stinky behavior.
Neuter the Baby Mice Makers
Mice love to breed. So do certain thoughts (especially if
they know you’ll entertain them). The second a scratch of discouragement carves
against your conscience, something along the lines of ‘You don’t matter’ or
‘You’re a failure and no one cares about you’—scythe it where it hurts. Show no
mercy. Don’t let more in its likeness scatter freely, thinking they own the
place.
Go to the Source
Oftentimes, after we’ve been upfront with ourselves about
the negativity we’ve given voice to, we do something strange. We walk around
tapping and sniffing in other areas of the house, suspicious and distrustful
that every room, every wall has been overrun. This is a waste of time. After
some honest reflection, we assess the troubled area. Now time to get down and
dirty and kick out the mouse crap.
Set it Free
Acknowledge the critters for the infinitesimal power they
bestow. When they lose their power, it’s easier to send them packing.
Nothing but a Mind
Trap
Set traps. Yep, a bit weird. But it works. Whether it’s
scripture or positive affirmations that are sure to snap shut on the scavenging
scoundrels, acquire resources to resort to when the horde, mischief, or nest
(all words for groups of mice) comes scampering.
Notes of encouragement you’ve saved, uplifting verses, connecting
with a trustworthy friend, journal writings where you’re reminded of God’s
faithfulness = great resources
Don’t Turn a Mouse
into a Moose
I’m your example for this. Go back and read the second
sentence of this post for proof. I imagine and worry mice into moose all the
time. When I do that it makes it harder to convince myself to evict them. Too
cumbersome. Too many horns. Too heavy. If I crack open the wall though, I’m
sure to find a teeny weenie Stuart Little peeping up at me. Fear can debilitate
us. So can robust imaginations. Don’t imagine your negative thought from a
mouse to a moose.
Study Architect Plans
Mice are desperate creatures. They move in so they won’t
freeze to death and because you have what they need—food. But your head, your
life was intended to be mouse-free. Refresh your memory from time to time why
you’re here (to glorify God and answer His call for your life). See if mice
make any sense in the structure He crafted. Be ruthless if a thought is causing
the structure to be compromised.
Exterminate
Hardest one because cold critters come back. They’ve lived
there before, they’ll find their way again.
But it can be done. You have to call on supernatural
strength for this one. I know because I have. I used to be tortured by
insecurities about my weight and numbers on the scale. Through prayer and God’s
unending grace these insecurities were exterminated years ago. I’ve blocked all
entrances for the mice to repopulate. So long suckers!
I jest. I play. But disparaging thoughts can be brutal. I
speak from experience. The methods above have worked for me. I hope they’ll
work for you.
Do you have any other
suggestions how to evict menacing thoughts?
*Disclaimer: No live mouse was hurt during the making of
this post
**photo by stock.XCHNG
***Now might be a funny time to mention I’m reading Stuart Little with one of my daughters.
;-)
