Moving forward after divorce requires determination and precision focus on the goal. Here I write (and speak) about releasing crippling thoughts and bad moods that have taken root. Give it a try: replace negative thoughts with “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely…” (Philippians 4:8, NIV).

1. Moving Forward after Divorce: Replace Negative Thoughts with Positive Thoughts

I am most successful when I replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts. Here’s a true story that turned a moment of disgust into a moment of inspiration:

My car had a terrible smell coming from within; it smelled of natural gas. I took it to a mechanic. He found nothing. Two weeks went by, and the smell worsened. So I took it to another mechanic. After looking it over, he said, “I hate to tell you this, but you have a dead mouse rotting in your car.”

I decided to investigate on my own (after he told me the cost involved in removing the dash and pulling out the seats, etc.). I put on a glove and reached way under the seat.) My hand bumped into something soft and round. I pulled it out. There in my hand was a rotting rutabaga meant for my beef stew that I had made several months ago.

How easy it was to rid my car of this offending smell: Pick it up. Throw it out. Add air freshener.

This sounds easy in terms of throwing out rotting vegetables, but in terms of releasing crippling memories and bad moods that have taken root, that is entirely a different story.

Fortunately for me, there was little cost involved with this life lesson.

To move forward, do this today: Read and apply Philippians 4:8. Throw out that negative thought that’s wreaking havoc and replace with “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely…” (Philippians 4:8, NIV).

2. Moving Forward: Take Nightly Inventory

Mrs. Darling, in Peter Pan, offers sage advice that gives insight on the subject of moving forward.

Every night she has the habit of tidying up. But it is not the tidying that you might think.

“It is the nightly custom of every good mother after her children are asleep to rummage in their minds and put things straight for next morning, repacking into their proper places the many articles that have wandered during the day. [When the children] awake in the morning, the naughtiness and evil passions with which [they] went to bed have been folded up small and placed at the bottom of [their] mind; and on top, beautifully aired, are spread out [their] prettier thoughts, ready to put on” (J.M. Barrie).

It’s endearing to think that while we sleep, a caring individual removes our bad behaviors to make room for successful thoughts.

This is what God wants for us, too. We should allow Him to
 trim and chop, sand if necessary, and even replace. In this way, our thought life is transformed.

Every night, we’d do well to take inventory. Start asking, What thought do I need to purge tonight?

3. Moving Forward: Travel Light

Hebrews 12:1 tells us to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”

To travel light, we must do more than lay aside each weight; we must evict those negative thoughts.

Consider this visual: A mother bird has her foot securely in the nest and the other on her fledgling. With one swift kick, the fledgling either flies or falls to the ground.

If you want to soar, it’s time to serve an eviction notice to those crippling thoughts and bad moods.

This race requires forward movement. Traveling light is recommended.

Resources and Links

Grab a copy of my book Hello New Life here.

For books on healing: Check out my Pinterest board.