Overcoming Negative Thinking

One of my biggest struggles is the narrative that is constantly running in my mind. I find it difficult at times to stop the negative thinking, my imagination can get the best of me. The truth is most of my time my imagination is projecting a negative future. This can impact my attitude and my actions.

Everyone has a constant stream of thought going on in our minds, even while we are sleeping. These thoughts are part of our biology to protect us from potential threats. Your mind imagines the worst case scenario and prepares you on how to respond. It is about survival.

The issue is these scenarios rarely are true and it is rarely about survival. We imagine a conversation going bad, or a leader trying to get you, or a colleague betraying you. These scenarios are not true, rarely happen, but can cause you to do great damage to your relationships and your ministry.

I read once to “talk to myself, do not listen to myself.” Some seminar speakers teach you to replace negative thoughts with positive ones. I have found this method wanting. When I speak positive thoughts over my life, there is something inside of me that doubts they are true. I know I am not all that great.

I believe we are to replace negative thoughts with the Word of God. Speak God’s truth about you to you. Proclaim the promises of God over your life. Deep down inside I may doubt positive thinking but I believe God’s Word.

All of us have promises that God has given us. These are the "rhema" words that God gives us while we are studying the "logos" word. I have a list of scriptures that God has given me over the years. Some of them are promises and some of them are instructions. When I replace the negative thoughts with the word of God, my mind is renewed and the result is transformation.

Do not be a victim of negative thinking. Do not allow your imagination to take you into what I call the downward spiral of negativity. Fill your mind with God’s word. Proclaim His promises. Declare His truth.

I encourage you to make Bible reading a part of your daily routine. I read the One Year Bible. Go beyond reading to journaling and be listening to the Holy Spirit as you are listening for a “timely” word to you. God is a God who speaks. He speaks through His word. His word is alive and active.

This simple spiritual discipline has changed my life.