Become New with John Ortberg 15. On Dropping Dead
Aug 27, 2021
A guide to spotting deceptive, intrusive thoughts that twist reality. Short stories and biblical examples show thinking errors like all-or-nothing, catastrophizing, and mind-reading. Practical framing of mindfulness as noticing thoughts, creating distance, and surrendering will to God. A memorable metaphor invites naming distorted thoughts to disempower them.
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Deceptive Brain Messages Distort Reality
- Ortberg highlights Jeffrey Schwartz's idea that our brain generates deceptive messages that distort reality and push us toward harmful responses.
- These thoughts create discomfort and tempt us into rumination, gossip, substance use, or behaviors that betray our values.
Birthday Prayer That Said Drop Dead
- John Ortberg recounts his wife's birthday prayer where a friend prayed about her being older and she responded "drop dead," illustrating surprising, candid reactions during prayer.
- The story pivots to using that blunt phrase as a metaphorical way to reject intrusive, negative thoughts in prayer and solitude.
Be Fully Present And Surrender Your Will
- Practice mindfulness by becoming aware of thoughts as thoughts and surrendering your will to God so you're not swallowed by them.
- Combine awareness with a surrendered will to observe distortions and let God help take thoughts captive to Jesus.
