Many people are plagued with thoughts they cannot control such as, “Did I really turn that gas off all the way? Maybe I should go back and check it one more time, just to be sure.” “You need to repent from that sin again. You really weren't sorry enough when you asked forgiveness. You are much sorrier now than when you asked for forgiveness the last time.” “The door may not be really shut. You didn't touch the three spots on the doorframe, just to be sure. You'd better go back and check it. Being too lazy to get out of bed to do it again is no excuse.” “You forgot your checkbook! You always forget everything. You're just no good.” Examining our thought life involves distinguishing three kinds of voices. We use our minds to think our own thoughts. When God communicates with us, His thoughts must register in our minds if we want to understand what He is saying. Temptations must also register in our minds if they are to become real temptations. In this volume of Healing the Wounded Soul, Dr. Westmeier gives practical steps and biblical ways to sort out our thoughts and to get free of the obsessive ones.
