Caller ID for your Thoughts

Battle for Mind Changing Negative Thinking

Posted: July 9, 2018

Negative Thinking Hurts

Do you ever wonder what to do with negative thoughts? Negative thinking can lead us to feel defeated, discouraged, unworthy, and unloved. I don’t enjoy feeling that way. Do you?

Choosing Our Thoughts

In this post, I want to share with you how we can screen our thoughts just like we screen our phone calls. We have caller id on our mobile devices and even for our landlines.

Therefore, we get to choose if we want to talk with the person calling. The same goes for our thoughts. We really get to choose which thoughts to pick up. Negative thoughts come from the enemy (Satan). We do not have to listen to him.

An Amazingly Effective Idea

I heard this idea at church, from our Pastor Mark McCllelland. I thought it was one of the most amazing and effective ideas I have ever heard, so I want to share with you.

The Battle for our Minds

A raging battle is going on for our minds. However, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can gain victory over the battle by choosing to dwell on thoughts which please and honor God.

Our thoughts must be filtered through God’s Word. In the Bible, Philippians 4:8-9 can help you test your thoughts. If they do not pass the Philippians 4 test, then HANG UP and throw them out of your mind.

Philippians 4:8-9 ~ “Finally, my brothers and sisters, always think about what is true. Think about what is noble, right and pure. Think about what is lovely and worthy of respect. If anything is excellent or worthy of praise, think about those kinds of things. Do what you have learned or received or heard from me. Follow my example. The God who gives peace will be with you.”

Ask yourself the following questions:

Are my thoughts true?
Do they contradict God’s Word?
Do my thoughts honor God?
Are my thoughts worthy of respect?
Are my thoughts right?
Are they going to lead me to live the life God wants for me?
Are my thoughts pure and moral?
Are my thoughts Kind?
Are my thoughts admirable and worth talking about?
Are my thoughts excellent?
Do my thoughts praise God?

Taking Thoughts Captive

Furthermore, it is important to take our thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ. Meaning, we can’t entertain thoughts which are contrary to the truth.

We must catch ourselves in negative thinking and hold the thoughts up to the truth of God’s Word. If the thought does not pass the truth test, do not dwell on it, because it needs to be rejected.

For example, according to Rick Thomas (2013), “there are recurring thought patterns, if left unchecked, that will become the dominating argument of a person’s mind, to the point where they become what the argument says they are.” (Thomas, 2013)

2 Corinthians 10:5~ “I destroy every claim and every reason that keeps people from knowing God. I keep every thought under control in order to make it obey Christ.”

Getting Help

If you find yourself having disturbing or dark thoughts that you can’t push away, they might put you at risk to suicidal thinking. Please call the Suicide Prevention Hotline-1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Crisis Services of North Alabama-256-716-1000 or 1-800-691-8426 to talk with someone who can help you.

Also, I offer counseling services to help process negative thinking, depression, and family issues. Please feel free to email me at [email protected] or call 256-631-6303 to set up an appointment.

Let’s Talk About it!

Do you struggle with your thought life? What are some things you do to overcome negative thinking? Share in the comments below.

References:

Bible Verses Retrieved from www.biblegateway.com

Thomas, R. (2013) How to take every thought captive: The battle for your mind. Retrieved on 01/23/2015 from http://www.covenanteyes.com/2013/04/09/how-to-take-every-thought-captive-the-battle-for-your-mind.