Overcoming Negative Thoughts

On average 70% of our thoughts are negative. These negative thoughts often come from Satan– and for good reason.  Satan hates all humanity—including you, and me. He loves to cause death and destruction in our lives, and his main tactic is deception. God, on the other hand, wants us to experience abundant and fulfilling lives. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit within us counters Satan’s lies with truth, and transforms the way we think. When we let Him. Paul said:

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2

God has given us the power to overcome Satan. The Bible outlines several strategies for overcoming negative thoughts. As we practice these habits, God changes the way we think, and transforms us into new people. Here are some great examples of strategies outlined in the Bible to overcome negative thoughts:

Biblical Strategies to Overcome Negative Thoughts 

• Become familiar with God’s voice. It takes time and practice to discern God’s voice from the other voices in your head. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. John 10:3-4 ESV

• Memorize and meditate on scripture. There is no better way to counter negative voices than by planting the truth of God in your mind. Memorizing Bible verses and meditating on God’s word are great ways to do that. I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 ESV

• Ask others to pray for you. When you don’t seem to be making headway in eliminating those negative voices—and even when you do–solicit the prayer of others, especially people you know to be mature followers of Christ. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16 NIV

• Hang out with positive encouraging people. The people we spend time with influence us both positively and negatively. Hanging out with positive encouraging people will aid in silencing those negative voices in your head. Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV

• Seek out wise counsel or advice. It is often helpful to get the perspective of someone who has more understanding or training than you do. This might be a person who is mature in their faith, such as a pastor or spiritual mentor. It could also be a professional, such as a counselor or physician. Sometimes problems go so deep that professional help is needed to combat those negative voices. Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14

• Guard your mind. Remember, what you feed is what will grow. Be careful what you expose yourself to, what you allow in your head. What you read, listen to, watch, look at online. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

• Cultivate a thankful heart. The habit of giving thanks is a game-changer. In my post, The Blessings of Giving Thanks, I outline 12 ways that the habit of thanksgiving has changed my life. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

• Surround yourself with reminders. If you are like me, you forget stuff—a lot. That is why reminders are so important. Reminders can take the form of a card, a post-it note, a symbol, a ritual, or even an app.  The main reason I created the Sunrays on our website, and the cards, bracelets, and shell jewelry in our Store is to help people like me remember. My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:1-35 ESV

• Practice forgiveness. Giving it, receiving it. Forgiveness is powerful, and life-giving. Jesus died so that we could experience this forgiveness, and He wants us to access it. When we own our faults and failings, He forgives them. He also wants us to forgive ourselves—to quit “shoulding” on ourselves—and to forgive others as well. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Col. 3:13

• Leave the past behind. It’s easy to beat ourselves up about past mistakes. But Christ came so that we could be free and look forward to each day with joy and hope. Push the reset button every day. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 ESV

Want to read more?

Part 1: Do You Hear Voices In Your Head?

Part 2: What Are Those Inner Voices We Hear?

Part 3: How Satan Works

Part 4: Weeding Out the Lies and Responding With Truth

Part 5: What You Feed is What Will Grow.