Have you ever wondered what causes negative thinking? Or, how you can change negative thinking to positive thinking? As a board certified clinical neuropsychologist, I daily see the impact of our thoughts and our beliefs on our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. In this article, I share one of the most important things we can do to make a positive change for our health (and, yes, it has to do with our thought life.)
Dear Dr. B:
Have you ever found your thought life stuck in a rut? I keep thinking the same negative thoughts over and over. How do I stop? Do I need medicine?
Negative Nelly
Dear Nelly,
Thoughts are a funny thing. They impact us in so many ways…alert us to potential danger, crave chocolate, and often, even impact our health.
As a board certified clinical neuropsychologist, I’ve had the opportunity to minister to individuals with medical and mental health conditions ranging from attention deficit disorder or depression to epilepsy or dementia.
I believe the Bible has quite a bit to say about our health, and even illness prevention. Clearly, it is God’s desire that we would enjoy good health: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (3 John 1:2).
After diagnosis of either a health or mental health condition, patients usually want advice about what to do to improve the situation. Most people assume that my primary go-to treatment recommendations will be either medication and/or therapy.
Would it surprise you that those two recommendations usually fall further down on my list? While both of these suggestions can sometimes be helpful, they often act like a band aid without addressing the underlying issue.
What causes negative thinking?
I daily see the impact of our thoughts and our beliefs on our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Scripture tells us that “an undeserved curse does not come to rest” (Proverbs 26:2). In this life, we experience both blessings and curses. Blessings come from God, while curses, hardship, and difficulty comes from our enemy. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).
This very enemy seeks to separate us from God and each other and distract us from God’s power, love, and purpose for our lives. The primary way he does this is through our thoughts. Proverbs 23:7 succinctly explains that “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…”
When we worry, fret, become angry, bitter, or unforgiving, we open the door to be influenced by the enemy of our soul. One of the most important things we can do to make a positive change for our health is to guard our thoughts and watch our words. I believe that’s why Scripture reminds us “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 10:5 NIV).
Whatever thoughts we don’t control, will control us.
It’s imperative that we make our thoughts agree with God’s thoughts, while rejecting those thoughts that come from the enemy’s camp. When we agree with and act on the encouragement in Philippians 4:8 (NLT) to “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” then we train our minds to think more like God and agree with His ways and means.
John 8:32 (NLT) reminds us that there is benefit to our physical, emotional, and spiritual health from knowing God’s truth: “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you.” Our thoughts must align with God’s truth in order to find freedom from whatever condition holds us in bondage.
All too frequently, we dwell on the negative or what seems impossible, which is the enemy’s plan, whereas God’s truth reminds us that “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).
Whatever we focus on, will grow and become a greater point of focus.
- For example, if we focus on the things we fear, our fears escalate.
- If we focus on God’s provision, our fears recede.
- If we focus on feelings of loneliness, we end up feeling more lonely.
- Yet if we focus on praising God that He is everlasting and omnipresent, we feel comforted.
- If we focus on being overweight and needing to lose weight to control our blood pressure, cholesterol, or diabetes, we usually feel frustrated and restricted (and hungry!).
- Yet if we will focus on the fact that God supplies our every need, we’re less likely to turn to food to be our comfort.
So as we think about our health, and how we’d like it to be, let’s start first by examining our thoughts and ensuring they line up with the wisdom and promises of God!
How can you change your focus today so that you can overcome negative thinking?
Because of Him, Hope Prevails,
Dr. B
Every day can be a good day when you trust the promises of God.
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Visiting from #countingmyblessings and glad I did. This post has victory stamped all over it. Love this so much, shared it here on my fb page: https://www.facebook.com/KristiWoodswriter?fref=nf. Truly, with Him all things ARE possible. Amen!
Thank you for your kind words Kristi! I pray it blesses someone here or on your FB page. He is so faithful, but we must do the good work. Because of Him, #Hope Prevails!
Dear Michelle, I totally agree and we have to get rid of “stinkin thinkin” and the only way to do that is to capture that thought at the threshold and not let it through the door way of our mind. I am sharing your post today. Stopped by At Whispers on the weekend. Blessings Diana
Diana, Glad you stopped by today! Yes, capturing the thought at the threshold and not even letting it in is key. It’s hard work, but oh so worth it. Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
If I am to be honest, I will tell you I struggle with this, and negative thoughts leap out of my end and into my mouth daily. I have to truly focus on taking every thought captive…every single one, and bind my mind to the mind of Christ. Thank you for sharing at Weekend Whispers.
Barbie, you’re not alone. The negative thoughts slip in so quickly. But you are doing the very best and right thing by making the conscious effort to take every thought captive and bind your mind to the mind of Christ! The more you do it, the easier it becomes. Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
“Whatever we focus on, will grow and become a greater point of focus.” I loved this. I don’t think it was an accident that I’m your neighbor on today’s #RaRaLinkUp! I needed to hear your message! So much wisdom. Thanks you Michelle!
It always thrills my heart to hear when the words He gives me minister to someone else. Thanks for sharing!! Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
I love this – and love that we are neighbors today at both Holley’s and Jennifer’s place! I remember hearing someone say something like this: I can’t afford to have a thought about me that God doesn’t have. Just wow… that helps me to stop those sneaky negative thoughts because I recognize the tone of ‘voice’ they have and that most often they do not line up with what God thinks about me, or any given situation! Such a great post!
I just love when God does that, Karrileea. God’s thoughts are the only thoughts we can afford to have! It’s a matter of taking every thought captive and checking it against what God says. Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
I really enjoyed this post and how in depth you went with renewing your mind with God’s truth. Creating habits that lead to spending more time in the Word and understanding those truths and then trusting that God’s promises will come to pass opens one’s mind up to the power of the Holy Spirit. That is a blessed place to be! Thank You!
So glad you enjoyed. I hope it helps others learn how to effectively fight against the negative! Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
You touched a tender spot with this Scripture:“an undeserved curse does not come to rest” (Proverbs 26:2).
Lois, my spiritual Mama taught me this verse which I had not heard of before then.
Now I teach it to my son….. it is a good verse indeed !
I wholeheartedly agree with what you have said about bringing our minds in captivity to Jesus and proclaiming scripture such as All things are possible with God.
A great post Michelle.
xx
Thank you for your sweet encouragement Mary. Every answer is written in His word. If we will just study and learn it, then apply it, what a precious difference it will make in our daily lives. And what a blessing it will be to your son that you are passing on the spiritual legacy to him. Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
Good day, Dr. Michelle! ‘Tis always a good day when I visit your blog and read your encouraging posts.
Once again you have written something “just for me.” {{smiles} Truly, this was a much-needed post. There are something things going {I won’t go into detail} that have drained my energy because of how discouraging they are. Lately I find myself thinking upon the negativity of all of it and I feel overwhelmed. Your post has reminded me that such negativity and worry can do a lot of damage to the body AND to my relationship with the Lord. Thank you for the gentle reminder to take ALL things to the Lord – cast your burden {worries, negative thoughts, etc} to the Heavenly Father.
Thank you for sharing with Roses of Inspiration. Enjoy the remainder of your week
Sweet Stephanie, the majority of what I write and share here has come from my own journey, so you must know, you are NOT alone. The enemy would love to trap us under the thicket of negativity. But Scripture teaches clearly that our words bring life or death, blessing or cursing. So we must CHOOSE life, even in our words to and about ourselves! You are a precious daughter of the Most High God, created for His glory! Let that negative enemy take that!! Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
Thank you for sharing this solid post on God’s view of controlling our thoughts and taking them captive. I appreciate you sharing this with us at Grace & Truth link-up!
Holly, so glad you visited with us, and enjoyed the post. Hope to see you here again sometime. Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
Thanks so much for sharing with us at #JoyHopeLive!
My pleasure. Glad you stopped by, Mary! Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
Your post was what I needed to hear again-to focus- my word for the year—on God’s truth and promises not the enemy’s taunts.I appreciate the scriptures you used to remind us of the security of resting in His truth when we struggle.
Amen, awesome encouragement! I am usually so very positive, glass half full not empty but throughout this past year I truly have had to learn to take my thoughts captive and to focus on the scriptures about thinking on those things that are lovely, meaningful (Philippians 4:8). So much negative in the world that we must have very positive input into our lives and this must be an intentional thing. Thank you for sharing this blog! It sure meant a lot to me!
Michelle,
This is so powerful–“Whatever thoughts we don’t control, will control us.” Someone I love lives entirely in the past. While not all of the past events she discusses are negative, many are and there is a lack of ability to ‘move ahead’ in conversation. It’s very painful and triggering.
Healing through Christ and releasing pain to Him is such a necessary key to live a life of hope.
Thank you for consistently sharing your wisdom.
Blessings to you,
Tammy