Our thoughts can be a dangerous thing…it’s easy to ignore this part of our spiritual development. And yet, our thoughts can control our moods and our actions. They can affect our relationships with others, and with God. These thoughts can be about ourselves, our situations, other people, the world in general, or specific events…really, nothing is off limits here.
I don’t know about you, but I have a pretty vivid imagination. I can dream up an entire scenario lasting hours, weeks, or even years based on a split second thought. Maybe I should start writing those down? It might be entertaining?
The thing is, negative, even cruel, thoughts can enter our minds so quickly – they don’t have to be rational. They don’t have to make sense – they don’t even have to relevant. They can just appear. And they can ruin us in so many ways. Let’s give our minds back to God…So, how do we get rid of them? And why do we even want to?
Why we need to get rid of negative thoughts.
It’s really quite simple. That was Jesus wants us to do.
If you need a little more information that just that, here it is:
Every commandment, every promise, every word of scripture is there for our good. For our betterment. To improve our relationship with God. To bring Glory to Him, and grow His kingdom. And isn’t that our greatest mission? To know Christ and to make Him known. Does that not show Love to our brothers and sisters?
He said to them, “Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to the whole human race.
Mark 16:15
There may be things in scripture that we don’t understand, or that some may not agree with. Not everyone I know, even those who believe, chooses to follow scripture. It seems we like to pick and choose. Now, if we’re being totally transparent here, every single one of us – myself included, strays from God. We all make bad choices. We all have negative thoughts. That doesn’t mean we are total failures. It just means that we need to get back up and try again. To be better. And to do better. Because that is what our heavenly father wants FROM and FOR us. From AND for.
How do we fight against negative thoughts?
Also simple. Scripture.
I know, I know. It’s not always that easy, is it? Well, truly, truly friend – I tell you, it is. That scripture may lead you other resources. It may guide you to seek counseling or the help of a physician. It may guide you to mend a broken relationship or trust. Or, it may simply lead you to call out to the Lord and rebuke Satan.
It may just be little things in your head, or it may be big things. Either way, same fight…same solutions…Whatever it is that you need to do in order to get rid of those negative thoughts, it’s going to start with God and with Scripture and Prayer.
Scripture is a great way to fight the enemy. Speaking the very word of God, words that Christ himself proclaimed…speaking them to your demons, even out loud if you want to (I do!)- will lead and guide your thoughts away from negativity and back to ‘whatever is true, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable.’ Whatever is excellent or praiseworthy.
I have peppered this post throughout with various Bible verses for you to consider and perhaps memorize as part of your arsenal. Below, you’ll find a very short and simple list of action steps that you can take in order to start giving your thoughts back over to the Lord and chasing out those demons. What steps you take will depend on how deeply rooted negativity and/or impurity is rooted in your thoughts.
- Memorize Scripture. Speak out those verses to replace those negative thoughts.
- Meditate and practice mindfulness. Focus on clearing your mind of negativity and impure thoughts. Lead your thoughts, instead, to positive memories, scripture, and positive acclamations.
- Pray. Spend time in prayer. Quiet, devoted time spent focused on prayer and communion with God is a very powerful thing.
- Reach out to your brothers and sisters in Christ. You don’t have to fight alone. Let them know you are struggling. They will lift you up, encourage you, and fight this battle with you.
- Attend Worship & Bible Study. Even if it’s just online, or through virtual meetings – connect yourself as much and as often as you can with your church family. If you don’t have a church family, please find one. Check the comments of this post – I’ll be asking my readers to share strong, biblically based church communities in their states with you.
- Seek Professional Counseling and/or Medical advice. There is no shame in asking for help. Listen to me: In 2019, it was estimated that 1in 5 adults living in the United States (that’s 51.5 MILLION people!) are living with mental illness. You are not alone. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! I’d venture a guess, too, that those numbers have absolutely SKYROCKED over the last year. Wouldn’t you? Mental illness can be related to physical or emotional trauma, chemical imbalance, stress, poor or no housing, social or physical isolation (HELLO 2020!!), physical, emotional, or sexual abuse (past or present), discrimination, bullying, injury, employment status, drug and alcohol use, fear, and on an on the list can go…Even being a care-giver for a loved one can lead to mental illness. Not one of us is immune. There are professionals that CAN HELP YOU. Please, don’t wait to seek help.
- Make your environment positive. This is assuming that you have complete, or at least some, control over your surroundings. Rid your home of objects that may trigger stress or negative memories. Use essential oils to help balance your mood. Take a nice bath. Make positive choices in what you watch/stream, and what you listen to. Consider choosing a Christian radio station or playlist. Surround yourself with positivity in any way, shape, or form that you can.
- Consider getting a pet. Having another precious life to care for can be so very therapeutic. If you go this route, please consider all of your options and make a choice that is helpful, and not stressful, to you and your new friend.
- REACH OUT FOR HELP! I know. I already said that. It bears repeating. Please, don’t isolate yourself from those that can help you!
Today’s Post was inspired by a story on the bible app. I had planned to reread/listen to that story, and add my thoughts! Unfortunately, the link doesn’t take me back to the story (here is the link in case you know something I don’t: https://www.bible.com/stories/1193 . I believe it was posted on 3/14/2021) . So, here we are with my random thoughts on the subject. I wish I could recall, more specifically, what the story discussed. I’m sure it was much more eloquent than my ramblings. It poured out so quickly, thought, that I feel very strongly that God intends these words for someone today. If that is you, know that you are in my prayers. If any of you is struggling with negatively, or any thoughts that you simply want out of your head, please let me know so that I pray for you by name.
If you don’t have the Bible App installed on your phone, I highly recommend it. I don’t utilize it near as often as I’d like, but have recently discovered these stories and the ones that I have interacted with have been such blessings. Have you seen them?
