The Battle of Every Believer
As Christians, many of us struggle with negative thoughts that infiltrate our minds daily. These thoughts can significantly impact our mental and physical health. When we come to Christ, we may believe that our transformation will be instantaneous and that our old habits and problems will vanish. While God performs miracles, many of us soon find ourselves wrestling with the same issues, habits, and mindsets as before.
Our old, degenerate mind needs a constant overhaul, even as we are endowed with His Spirit. Consider what the Bible says about our minds:
- Romans 1:28 – “Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.”
- Ephesians 4:23 – “To be made new in the attitude of your minds.”
- 2 Corinthians 11:3 – “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”
- Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
Paul captures this struggle succinctly in Romans 7:21-23 when he states that he knows what to do but struggles to do it. From these scriptures, we see that our minds, unless renewed and subdued by God’s Spirit, often control our behavior rather than the other way around. Our minds can cause worry, fear, doubt, and more, making mental health a significant battle for Christians. Joyce Meyer and other Christian leaders have written extensively on this topic, emphasizing the importance of renewing our minds.
Winning the Battle of the Mind
Winning the battle of the mind is no easy feat. Even during our devotional time, our thoughts can wander, causing us to rush through our spiritual practices. However, just as our bodies need relaxation, our minds need regular renewal to maintain mental health and well-being.
According to scripture, God speaks to us with a still, small voice. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” This implies that intimacy with God is achieved through stillness. Our greatest inspirations and truths come during times of quietness, openness, and reflection—all components of meditation. It was through Christ-centered meditation that I overcame years of depression. Meditation allowed me to become still enough to observe the negative thoughts controlling my behavior. By consistently practicing meditation, I learned to control my thoughts instead of allowing them to control me.
Your Mind is Like a Garden
The Bible warns against putting new wine into old wineskins, suggesting the need to rid ourselves of corrupted thinking before embracing new truth. Jesus’ parable of the sower further illustrates this point. Imagine planting a healthy plant in a garden overrun with weeds and pests; the plant will be choked and devoured. Similarly, planting God’s truth in a mind filled with faulty mindsets and past conditioning will be unfruitful.
To embrace God’s truth, we must first identify and remove the weeds—negative thoughts and debilitating mindsets—that choke out God’s Word. If left unaddressed, our minds and spirit will continue to war against each other, leading to double-mindedness and instability in our Christian walk.
Keeping Your Thoughts Healthy
Maintaining a healthy mind is crucial because our thoughts shape our reality. Establishing a meditation practice can help quiet the mind and observe our thoughts. Most people think over 70,000 thoughts daily, and about 90% of these thoughts are repetitive and negative. By monitoring our thoughts and emotions, we can identify destructive patterns and restore our peace of mind.
The Bible instructs us to cast down every thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Tools such as the Emotional Freedom Technique, Welcoming Prayer, and journaling can help neutralize negative thoughts. Visualize each negative thought as a mouse in your house; you wouldn’t ignore it but would do everything to get rid of it. Be equally determined to maintain your peace of mind.
7- Steps to Breaking Free from Negative Thoughts
A chronically negative thought life can severely limit your ability to think positively and maintain faith-filled thoughts. Negative thinking doesn’t develop overnight but usually results from years of repetitive thought patterns. To break free from negative thinking, start by focusing on the positive.
1. Focus on the Positive
Although we all experience unpleasant events, positive experiences are equally present. Begin by keeping a gratitude journal to record positive events daily. As you focus on the positive, you’ll attract more positive situations and become more aware of them.
2. Practice Christian Meditation
Meditation helps us quiet our minds and gain control over our thoughts. It also makes us aware of our daily thought patterns, allowing us to change them if they don’t promote peace, joy, and love. The Bible encourages us to renew our minds and bring every thought under God’s control. Visit my Overcoming Negative Thoughts Page and try my Controlling Negative Thoughts Meditation; it’s free. Plus, you can watch my video, “You’re Just a Few Thoughts Away from Peace and Joy.”
3. Have Faith in God
Having faith in God’s guidance can help squash negative thoughts. Trust that God is in control and that all things work together for your highest good. Reading the Bible and stories of people who overcame challenges through faith can inspire you and restore your peace of mind.
4. Spend Time in Nature
Nature has a healing and soothing effect on the soul and spirit. Spend time regularly in natural settings to gain a better perspective on your problems. Just as nature returns to peace after a storm, anchor yourself to God during life’s storms and let your peace prevail.
5. Acknowledge Your Negative Thinking
To stop negative thoughts, first acknowledge them. When a negative thought arises, recognize it and replace it with a positive one. The Bible instructs us to cast down every thought that exalts itself against God’s knowledge. Use techniques like saying “CANCEL” aloud to nullify negative thoughts and reinforce positive, faith-based thoughts.
6. Motivate with the Positive
Combat negative thoughts by reminding yourself of your capabilities and strengths. Use positive affirmations and scriptures such as “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Surround yourself with supportive and encouraging people who uplift your spirit.
7. Change Your Language
Use decisive language to reinforce positive actions. Replace words like “should,” “could,” and “might” with “will.” For instance, say, “I will go and fix the car” instead of “I might go and fix the car.” This shift in language promotes action and commitment.
Renewing your mind and keeping your thoughts healthy is vital for your overall well-being. By acknowledging negative thoughts, practicing meditation, and focusing on the positive, you can transform your thought patterns and align them with God’s truth. Embrace the tools and techniques provided to win the battle over your mind and experience the abundant life God desires for you.
It seems that most of what I say is negative. I find the negative in a situation or in a person ……. why can’t I see the good? I think it may be because of my own insecurities ……. if others are less than perfect then I must be better. I can hear it as it comes out of my mouth ……. it’s not anything good but negative. I want to reverse it and talk well of people and situations but it almost seems that it wouldn’t be true. Please help me……. I do t think I used to be this way but now I’m older, 73, and I do t want to continue to be this way. Please help. Thank you.
Hi Rhonda, I am very new to meditation, and I love all your material. Do you perhaps have ideas for how to deal with worry that usually hits me in the night and I find that the thoughts just goes round and round in my head and I cannot get rid of them.