We have all been there when negative thoughts seem to weigh us down so much that we can’t see a way out. Someone says something mean or something negative happens to us and we go into this episode of believing every lie that was ever told to us.
Are you the type of person who wakes up with an attitude that the day will be great? Or that from the moment you place your feet on the floor everything is bound to go wrong?
Honestly, I am not a morning person so waking up early and wishing the day will go right is often the last thing on my mind. And some of us just live in a constant state of negativity. It’s an ugly downward spiral but there is HOPE!
How To Combat Negative Thoughts
We are all a work-in-progress being molded into God’s image. And God isn’t close to being finished with us yet. Although God loves us exactly the way we are, He also wants us to continually mature in our faith, which means changing our hearts for the better.
We need to pay attention to the narrative we tell about ourselves, others and God. Here are three ways to bounce back from any negativity and become overwhelmed with God’s love and grace.
Submit Your Negative Thoughts To God Through Prayer
This is where it all starts. In order for your heart to change, you must be in constant communication with God. This is my shortfall and the last thing that I want to do when I am faced with these negative thoughts because as silly as it sounds, I want to hold on to them. But through prayer, we learn of God’s wisdom and He reveals Himself to us.
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; He cares for those who take refuge in Him.” Nahum 1:7.
When we are in constant communication with Him, we can rest in His presence and know that He will turn any bad circumstance into good. God will also reveal to us why we are feeling the way we do and show us a practical solution that leads to His truth and a deeper relationship with Him.
Read the Bible to Learn How to Change Your Thoughts
I will say this time and time again, the Bible is where we learn our identity and the truth about who God says we are. We did nothing to deserve this yet through God’s loving-kindness, He shapes us and molds us into His image.
“Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.” Psalm 1:2.
Memorize a few Bible verses (some of my favorites: Ephesians 1:5-6, 2 Corinthians 6:18, Isaiah 43:4, 1 John 3:1) or take pictures of them on your phone so that when you have those moments of discouragement or negativity you can combat them with the truth of the Word.
Develop An Attitude of Gratitude to Transform Your Thoughts
If you have an attitude of gratitude, nothing can get you down. Seriously, focusing on things you’re grateful for, rather than things that are going wrong, will make you so much more joyful.
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24.
You may not be thankful for your current situation but you can remind yourself of the circumstance in which God has remained faithful. Replacing negative thoughts with gratitude can turn your whole perspective around, for the better.
Our minds need to be trained to think differently. God wants us to focus on what He has for us now and in the future. When you practice all of these, you will no longer let the negative thoughts win. Your cup will be overflowing with God’s love, grace, and mercy.
Make this a habit. It takes a lot of inner change to do this but I want to encourage you this week to pray to God that He will change your heart so you can experience the freedom and joy He has waiting for you.
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