What’s a thought loop, you ask? And why do they matter? Let’s drink in some insight from one of my all-time favorite children’s books…
I’m a pout-pout fish, with a pout-pout face, so I spread the dreary-wearies all over the place.” The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
Syncopated Genius
I’m always on the search for super fun children’s books for my grandkids. And several years ago, I came across a doozy…The Pout-Pout Fish. Have you heard of it?
Oh, man! Genius!
The rhyming syncopations trip the giggle switch every single time. But it’s the book’s brilliant message that melts my heart.
Yes, there are times in life when the dreary wearies are exactly what we want to feel. Like when we’ve experienced a significant loss, the dreary wearies express our deep pain and sorrow.
But that’s not the story of the Pout-Pout Fish. Our dreary weary friend is stuck in a destructive thought loop.
Are We Destined To Think Negatively?
You see, Mr. Fish had a never-ending frown. And everywhere he went, like weeds in a garden, his dreary-wearies spread all over the place.
His sealife friends tried to help, but Mr. Fish declared over and over, It’s just the way I am. I haven’t any choice. I am destined to be glum.
Do you ever have those kinds of thoughts?
It’s just the way I am.
I don’t have any choice.
I’m destined to always be _________________________ (you fill in the blank).
I have the same type of thoughts sometimes. And you know what? Just like the pout-pout fish, the state of my soul can become a kaleidoscope of mope.
But it doesn’t have to be that way! Let’s swim with the pout-pout fish a little deeper.
Thought Loop
As a life coach, I always share the following thought loop with my clients to help them understand why their thoughts matter.
Understanding thought loops is something God uses daily in my own life to illuminate destructive thought seeds and rewire my mind.
Okay, let’s map out a thought loop so you can see why they’re so critical to understand…
So, you think a thought.
That thought creates a feeling or multiple feelings.
Feelings drive actions.
And actions lead to outcomes.
Example Of A Thought Sequence
I’m a pout-pout fish, with a pout-pout face, so I spread the dreary-wearies all over the place.”
Mr. Fish has a thought, I’m a pout-pout fish.
Therefore, he feels dreary-weary.
And because he feels dreary-weary, he frowns all the time.
And because he goes around frowning every day, he spreads the dreary-wearies all over the place.
Thought…Feeling…Action…Outcome.
And you know what else? Repetitive thought loops shape our beliefs.
Mr. Fish believes he’s a pout-pout fish. But is that true? Is he destined to always feel dreary-weary? Heck no!
Love Soaked Thinking
One day, Love plants a kiss on Mr. Fish’s face! Astounded and awed, for a moment, he’s frozen in the beauty and wonder of Love.
But finally, Mr. Fish declares, I thought that I was pouty, but it turns out I was wrong.
Suddenly, his dreary wearies transform into cheery cheeries!
You see, the truth is – He’s a kiss-kiss fish with a kiss-kiss face.
It’s been true all along!
Aligning his thinking with the truth of God’s love shifted his feelings, which changed his actions, and led to an entirely new outcome!
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
Beloved, I believe, from my head to my heart, that God is always at work renewing your mind. Love is continually planting kisses on your beautiful sweet face.
Kisses of value. Kisses of acceptance, enoughness, purpose, significance, identity, and the like.
You’re a kiss-kiss peep with a kiss-kiss face.
Yours to Choose
Sure, you have the God-given amazing gift of free will. So you are free to think anything you like. But remember, thought loops matter.
But I’m laying my bet on the love of God. And His fierce determination to recalibrate your thinking with the wonder and beauty of His love.
My friend, is your thinking love-soaked?
Do your consistent thought loops reflect God’s grace and compassion?
If not, ask the Holy Spirit to awaken you to your thought life. Ask the Spirit to awaken you to the thought loops on repeat in your mind.
And then, ask the Spirit to align your thinking with the love of God.
The love of God, His grace, and compassion are internal realities no external circumstances can ever change.
Cause here’s the truth, and it’s been true all along; You’re a kiss-kiss peep, with a kiss-kiss face, so you go around spreading love all over the place!
Want more amazing truths to help create new thought loops based on the truth?! And Bonus! There’s also a printable daily prayer and affirmation PDF based on God’s Word. Click this link to get both freebies, 33 Brilliant Verses to Help Transform Your Thought Life!
I’m listening. And would love to hear from you. Email me your biggest takeaway, insight, or aha from today’s topic.
Don’t have my email address? No worries. Subscribe below to share your thoughts, comments, questions, and Bonus! You’ll also receive weekly content and encouragement. No one should have to journey without encouragement.
Do you know someone who could benefit from this topic? Please share this post with them.
Thanks for stopping by! Until we meet again, remember – Trusting in Jesus, you’ll have more treasure than pockets. From my heart to yours,
