Did you know our brains become shaped by the process of thoughts and reactions. If we think positively, the physiological aspects of our brains change in healthy ways that help us move toward a positive quality of life.
“How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! You can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!”
— Psalm 139:17-18
Envision God wrapping His arms around you and holding you tight, reassuring you of your value and worth in his eyes.
Yet, if we think negatively, our brains are changed in unhealthy ways, causing us to feel and act negatively, which steers us toward a more negative quality of life. This cycle shapes and designs our brains and, consequently, affects the health of our minds and bodies. Leaf also found that people who regularly meditate on Scripture and have developed a disciplined and focused thought life have increased intelligence, wisdom, and a feeling of peace.
– Dr Caroline Leaf, cognitive neuroscientist, Switch On Your Brain, p. 32.
Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.
“Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible” … including breaking free from negativity.
— (Matthew 19:26)
Scientists estimate our brains have one hundred billion cells, with each one connected to other cells, forming up to ten thousand individual connections. There are more connections in the brain than there are stars in the universe. (p. 27) If our thinking patterns are excessively negative, harsh, or critical, that will have a negative impact on our moods, anxiety levels, and, ultimately, our ability to focus. (p. 52)
— Dr. Daniel G. Amen, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life: The Breakthrough Program for Conquering Anxiety, Depression, Obsessiveness, Lack of Focus, Anger, and Memory Problems, 1998
“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.”
— Romans 12:2
“We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
— 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Take circular thoughts as a prisoner of war. God has given us the very tools that we need to do just that.
The words you speak will either bring life, light and freedom, or hold you in bondage.
Prayer is your legal right to use faith-filled words to bring God on the scene on your behalf.”
— Charles Capps, The Tongue, a Creative Force, 1995, p. 6.
Ten most common whirlpools of negative thinking
- Comparison
- Awfulizing
- Exaggerating
- Complaining
- Blaming
- Self-Condemnation
- Overthinking
- Negative Influences
- Victim Mentality
- All-is-lost Mind-set
“Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”
— Lamentations 3:23
“The water rose over my head,
— Lamentations 3:54-57
And I cried out, “This is the end!”
But I called on your name, Lord,
From deep within the pit.
You heard me when I cried, “Listen to my pleading!
Hear my cry for help!”
Yes, you came when I called;
You told me, “Do not fear.”
“I will never forget this awful time,
— Lamentations 3:20-25
As I grieve over my loss.
Yet I still dare to hope
When I remember this:
The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
His mercies begin afresh each morning.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;
Therefore, I will hope in him!”
The Lord is good to those who depend on him,
To those who search for him.”
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
— Ephesians 2:10
Pray for God to take away the stronghold of sorrow and despair as they consume your thoughts.
For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
— 2 Corinthians 3:17
God can always breathe hope back to life. “To all who mourn… he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.”
— Isaiah 61:3
“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?”
— Isaiah 43:19
“Positive thinking means that you approach unpleasantness in a more positive and productive way.”
— Mayo Clinic, Positive Thinking: Stop Negative Self-Talk to Reduce Stress, March 4, 2014.
“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.”
— John 16:33