Have you ever had someone say one careless thing, and hours later youβre still thinking about it?
You smiled and moved on. Then, while unloading the dishwasher, you started replaying what they said and wondering if they were right. Iβve done that more times than Iβd like to admit.
Usually, the comments that stick are the ones that touch an insecurity I already have. My mind takes a five second remark and turns it into a whole story about who I am.
When I catch myself doing that, I try to pause and ask: What actually happened, and what am I telling myself it means?
Maybe someone made a thoughtless comment. That doesnβt mean everyone agrees with them. Maybe I made a mistake. That doesnβt mean I always get everything wrong.
Sometimes I need a quiet minute with God to sort that out. My prayer is usually simple: βGod, that hurt. Help me see whatβs true.β
Iβm still practicing. Some days I let a comment go. Other days Iβm thinking about it two days later while making coffee. But Iβm learning that I can acknowledge what hurt without believing every harsh thought that follows.
Just because a thought keeps coming back doesnβt mean itβs true.