Recently I was reading from the top blogs on the topic of hypothyroidism (a condition affecting the endocrine system) in order to glean more insights into the topic. Primarily my purpose for doing so is to better understand the audience of hypothyroidism sufferers and what pains them the most, for I am considering creating digital information products and other free content to greatly benefit them in the future (“Lord willing and creek don’t rise,” to borrow a phrase used by YouTube life-coach, Mark Dejesus). As an overcomer of the symptoms of this condition myself by the grace, truth, and power of God, I desire to share the same freedom, peace, and healing that God has given me and that I am continuing to access, apply to my life, and “walk out” on this ongoing “healing journey.”
One of the top hypothyroidism blogs for 2022 that I came upon is produced by Dr. Izabella Wentz, PharmD. In one of her blog posts, she made a compelling case that in some instances, although the thyroid may be often the scapegoat that is blamed for one’s sabotaged health symptoms, sometimes the true “culprit” for one’s sluggish symptoms could be the adrenal glands. But the thing that truly stuck out to me from her post was what she had to say about mindfulness: “Shift your mindset…Be mindful of what you’re listening to.” (1) Dr. Wentz proceeded to share some very insightful truths about the importance of thinking the right thoughts.
I was relieved, pleased, and delighted to discover a wise physician who understands the mind-body connection and its role in disease recovery. For every thought we think, there is a corresponding neurotransmitter, neuropeptide, hormone, interleukin, or other chemical response to that thought that occurs within the human body. This is very often the “root cause” for the manifestation of a disease or syndrome. The cycle for stress and disease could be broken down as follows: Perpetually feeding upon an accusing thought about oneself (or agreeing with an anxious thought or belief about reality) →stress (one’s mental response to a stressor or “invisible enemy”) →inflammation →disease [repeat cycle]. (2)
Thereby, successfully remove the stress from one’s life (not merely the stressor, but the anxiety-producing mindset about or behind that stressor), and the inflammation will reside, allowing for the “bad fruit” of disease to fall off, leave, and no longer remain attached to its “tree” (or person’s life). How does one remove mindsets of fear, rejection, self-hatred, etc. coming out of mindsets that often arose from trauma? One’s entire way of thinking about one’s past and about who they are as a person has to be reprogrammed. How does that happen? “Perfect love casts out fear.” What is love, and what does receiving perfect love look like practically? That is the “million dollar question,” and when you know the truth, the truth shall make you free.
Dr. Wentz listed a few affirmations to repeat throughout the day that she has found to be effective and powerful at reducing stress and allowing one’s hormones and body to function the way that it was designed to operate healthily:
“I love myself.”
“I am powerful.”
“I am healing.”
“I am loved.”
“The world is a safe and beautiful place.”
“I am beautiful.” (3)
In the culture at large (or what some might call “the secular world,”) this practice of speaking positive, true words or to change the way one thinks about things in such a way that it results in greater health according to the laws of physiology is called “mindfulness.” The Ancient Writings (the Bible) in Romans 12:2 describe this same concept of “mindfulness” (in light of the scientific, epigenetic reality of “DNA synthesis”) as being “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Philippians 4:8 admonishes believers in Jesus to think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, excellent, worthy of praise, and whatever is of good report.
Such positive affirmations such as the above bullet list can be called “confessions,” which in the Greek language of the Ancient Writings means “to say the same thing as” or “to agree with” what someone (particularly God) says. Usually, the Greek word used in the New Testament for “confess” is “homologeo” (Strong’s G3670). (4) To break down this Greek word, “homo” means “same” and “logeo” is the same word from which we derive the word “logic.” Thus, to “confess” means to use the “same logic,” or to think the same way, to see things the same way, or to agree with what another person is saying.
Practicing mindfulness (or “confession”) in a personal relationship with God therefore means to agree with God and what He is saying about any pressing matter or subject. When we get on the “same page” as the One who created the universe and has the knowledge, authority, and power over every disease, syndrome, and sickness because He knows how everything in the universe ticks, then we can finally arrive at the correct diagnoses for our problems and can be healed when we finally follow the instructions of such a Great Physician. That is why and how Jesus went around doing good and healing everyone who was oppressed by the devil (and who also submitted to His authority and words in humble trust and obedience), because He was always on the "same page" as His Father. (see Acts 10:38; John 5:30; 6:38)
Another biblical term related to practicing mindfulness is to “repent.” In the New Testament, the word “repent” usually comes from the Greek word “metanoeo,” (G3340 in the Strong’s concordance), which implies changing the way one thinks about a matter. (5) There may be an element of humble contrition in this process, because we may initially become sobered with the reality that we once were not seeing things rightly as we believed lies that held us in bondage or that set us back. However, because God gives grace to the humble, repentance brings great joy when changing the way we think finally makes us free to enjoy the abundant life God offers and freely made available to us. (6)
The word “repentance” is the Greek word “metanoia” (Strong’s G3341), which implies a “change of mind…”. (7) Jesus told the people of his day to repent--to change their perspectives away from lies, religious legalism, narcissism, and self-preservation to the way that God truly thinks and what He says about reality. His message to the church today has never changed, as Jesus told many of the seven churches in the book of Revelation to “repent,” that they may come into alignment and agreement with what God is doing and saying.
Just as Dr. Wentz listed those few confessions that she found to be powerful and effective at reducing the effects of stress in her life (“I love myself,” “I am powerful,” etc.), I brainstormed another list of confessions about who I am in my relationship with God. This list is by-no-means exhaustive, as it only took an hour or so to jot them down. For followers of Jesus, I might encourage you to come up with your own list(s) to personalize in your own relationship with God, although you are free to utilize the brief list I made if you find it helpful to get you started. (You don't have to do any of this, because your relationship with God is based on grace; such a list is simply an idea or tool that you can choose to utilize if the idea excites you and you find it helpful).
It may be helpful to speak such statements aloud when you get up in the morning, before going to bed at night, and throughout the day as you talk with God about those statements and ask Him to show you more. Imagine what your day might look like if you invite God into your everyday activities at home and work more intentionally in such a way. Instead of spiraling into anxiety, panic, depression, or feeling bad when things don’t seem to be going right, what if we believed that God was for us, not against us, and is working all things out for our good as we love and trust in His goodness and power and “bird’s eye view” of the entire situation? (See Romans 8:28, 31)
The point of these such “confessions” or “identity in Christ statements” is not merely to repeat them in a formulaic or detached manner, but to engage with God about the truth of those statements in an intimate, honest manner, like you are having a conversation with your closest and dearest Friend. If any of those confessions stand out to you, feel free to study those verses in their context, or do your own “word search” on the emotions and topics that you are facing in your own life. (For example, I typed the word “worthy” into the search bar of BibleGateWay.com as I wondered what God had to say about addressing shame or “unworthiness mindsets.”)
God is a Spirit who desires for us to engage with Him at a deep, honest, personal level. When the truth of who He is and who we are in Him sinks deep into every fiber of our being, then we will know the truth about His love for us and about our identity, and the truth shall make us free. When it comes to autoimmune disease, knowing the truth makes us healed by quenching the “fiery darts” of accusatory and anxious thoughts that are behind the inflammation within our physical bodies. See James 4:5-6; John 4:24; 8:31ff; Ephesians 6:16.
The list of confessions below can also be downloaded as a PDF for your access here:
Practicing Mindfulness (List of Confessions):
Confessions addressing loneliness:
My fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. [1 John 1:3]
Jesus is with me always, even to the end of the age. [Matthew 28:20]
Jesus will never leave me nor forsake me. [Hebrews 13:5-6]
Jesus did not leave me as an orphan, but He came to me in the Person of His Holy Spirit. [John 14:17-18]
Christ lives in me by His Holy Spirit. [1 Corinthians 6:15-20]
I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. [Galatians 2:20]
The fellowship of the Holy Spirit is with me. [2 Corinthians 13:14].
The Counselor is with me forever. [John 14:16]
I have the Spirit of truth living on the inside of me. [John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13]
I know the Spirit of truth, and He makes me free from loneliness. [John 8:32]
Loneliness does not have dominion over me, for I fellowship with the Spirit of grace. [Romans 6:14]
Confessions addressing rejection:
I am accepted in the Beloved. [Ephesians 1:6]
I am social.
God keeps me as the apple of His eye. [Psalm 17:8; Zechariah 2:8].
I was created for deep, bonded, authentic relationships.
I who was once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ [Ephesians 2:13]
Confessions addressing self-hatred:
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. [Psalm 139:14]
I am beautiful [Song of Songs 1:15; 4:1,7,10; 6:4]
I am lovely [Song of Songs 1:5; 2:14; 4:3; 6:4]
I am of a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that I may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called me out of darkness into His marvelous light. [1 Peter 2:9]
Once I was not a people, but now I am of the people of God; I had not received mercy, but now I have received mercy. [1 Peter 2:10]
Confessions addressing defeat:
I am well able to overcome the giants in my life. [Numbers 13:30]
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. [Philippians 4:13]
I overcome the enemy's accusations by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of my testimony, for I love not my life to the death. [Revelation 12:11]
My faith in Jesus overcomes the world [1 John 5:4]
Confessions addressing bitterness:
I am kind. [1 Corinthians 13:4]
As God's chosen, holy and dearly loved, I put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. [Colossians 3:12]
I am kind and compassionate to those who have done me wrong and treated me unfairly.
I cancel their "relational debt" for which they owe me, just as Christ has forgiven me. [Ephesians 4:32]
Confessions addressing temptation:
No temptation has overtaken me that is uncommon to mankind.
God is faithful. I have a faithful high priest who is able to sympathize with my weakness, for he has been tempted in every way, but never sinned. He overcame every temptation, and now His same Spirit lives in me. [Luke 4:13; Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:14-16]
God will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I can bear, handle, and overcome.
With the temptation will also come the Way of escape. [1 Corinthians 10:13]
So I can stand against the devil's schemes and having done all, to stand firm. [Ephesians 6:11-13]
The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation [2 Peter 2:9]
I keep watching and praying that I may not enter into temptation [Matthew 6:13; 26:41; 14:38]
Confessions addressing guilt:
I am justified ("just-as-if-I'd never sinned) [Romans 3:24, 28; 5:9; 8:30]
I am justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified [Galatians 2:16b]
I have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ [Romans 5:1]
Sin shall not have control over me, for I am not under law, but under grace [Romans 6:14]
Being justified by God’s grace, I am made an heir according to the hope of eternal life [Titus 3:7; Romans 8:16-17; Galatians 3:29; 4:7]
I have eternal life in Jesus [John 3:16, 36; 6:27, 40; 1 John 5:11, 13, 20]
I shall not be condemned, for I have passed from death to life [John 5:24]
I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus [2 Corinthians 5:21].
Confessions addressing fear:
God did not give me the spirit of fear.
I have the Spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. [2 Timothy 1:7]
I am not a slave again to fear, for God is my Daddy [Romans 8:15]
Confessions addressing narcissistic control:
Love is not self-seeking, and I am rooted and grounded in love [1 Corinthians 13:5; Ephesians 3:16]
I do not tolerate narcissism [Revelation 2:20]
I submit my will to God, who opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble [James 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:5-10]
I am directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit, not by the carnal nature [Acts 1:8; 10:38; Romans 15:13, 19; Ephesians 3:16; 5:18-21]
I seek not to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent me. [John 5:30; 6:38]
Confessions addressing shame:
I humbly receive the word of God, judging myself worthy of eternal life [Acts 13:45-46]
My worth and value is the price that God paid to purchase me--the precious blood of Jesus [1 Peter 1:18-19]
I rejoice when I am counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus' name [Acts 5:41]
I overcome spiritual deadness, apathy, and slumber through the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony as I love not my life to the death, that I may walk in white robes with Jesus as worthy [Revelation 3:1-6; 12:11]
For more information on beginning a relationship with God through Jesus, see my blog post, “Would You Like to Gain Citizenship in Heaven?”
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-your-adrenals-sabotaging-your-health/
https://elevatehealthaz.com/inflammation-the-root-of-common-disease/
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-your-adrenals-sabotaging-your-health/
https://biblehub.com/greek/3670.htm
See James 4:6; Luke 15:3-7; John 7:37-39; 8:31-32; 10:10; 17:3; Psalm 1.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3341/kjv/tr/0-1/
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