Last Updated on August 23, 2023 by Rayna
Could a thing as menial as negative thinking be stifling your future? I never thought my thinking was a big deal until I realized what I was thinking about. Let’s just say that what was going on in my head was not pretty. As I began to uncover my thinking, I was surprised at the negativity that was spewing from my mind. If I’m being honest, some of my thinking shocked me and your thoughts may surprise you too.
Keeping It Real
Let’s keep it real and unpack how your negative thoughts can cripple your life. Your future depends on changing your mindset. Now this does not mean that you act like there is no negativity in the world. It means that you acknowledge the negative thoughts running through your head that are holding you back from your full potential. Take it from someone who went from the lowest self esteem possible to the redemption I’m living out in my life today. You can read my story here.
Negativity can present itself in many ways including anxiety, low self esteem, and even through something as inconsequential as not wanting to try new things. It all starts with our thinking.
When we start to uncover our thought life, we have the opportunity to change our perspective. This starts with learning our authority and identity in Christ. In 1 Thessalonians 5:8 we are reminded to stay alert and clearheaded regarding our thoughts.
But since we belong to the day, we must stay alert and clearheaded by placing the breastplate of faith and love over our hearts, and a helmet of the hope of salvation over our thoughts.
1 Thessalonians 5:8, TPT
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Combatting Negativity
Here are three ways to combat negativity and get on with your life. After all, you have some goals to accomplish! Once you wage war on your thinking then you can start journaling to overcome negativity for good.
#1 Uncover Your Thinking
Think about what you’re thinking about and start a mindset journal. There is a step by step guide below on how to journal your thoughts. To begin, challenge yourself to contend with every thought that presents itself in your mind. By that I mean that you should examine your every thought. In 2 Corinthians 10:5 it says that we capture each thought like a prisoner of war. The key here is to question yourself. Why am I thinking this? What incident happened that started this negative belief system? If this seems foreign to you, ask Jesus to help you.
We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One.
2 Corinthians 10:5, TPT
Not all thoughts are your own. With that revelation, you can stop owning every thought that presents itself to you. You have the option to throw out thoughts that do not serve you well. When we get healthy in our thought life, we open ourselves up to our potential. Ask Jesus to help you to uncover your thoughts then wait for His answer.
There is not one person who can hide their thoughts from God, for nothing that we do remains a secret, and nothing created is concealed, but everything is exposed and defenseless before his eyes, to whom we must render an account.
Hebrews 4:13, TPT
Since our every thought is already known to God we may as well look at them. Nothing we do is secret from Him and this is a good thing. We are being rescued from ourselves.
#2 Identify The Source of Negativity
Now let’s start to identify the source of each negative thought. When you discover where the negativity is coming from then you can attack it from the root. The worst thing we can do is deal with the symptoms (feelings of fear, anxiety, etc.) without looking at the root of the issue.
The root of negative thinking is the place where the negative thoughts began. This is usually a traumatic moment where your thinking changed. For example, if you always looked up to your big brother then one day you found out he was lying about something important to you, this would be a place where your thinking changed. It would be the root of where you stopped trusting and developed a negative thought pattern regarding trust. In this case, you would deal with the root by taking the situation to Jesus, forgiving your brother, and asking Holy Spirit to heal you to be able to trust again.
For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 NASB
Hebrews 4:12, NASB
Start an investigation on your thought life. You may be surprised by what you find. According to Hebrews 4:12, you can use the word of God to judge your thoughts. The bible is your gauge of truth.
#3 Renew Your Mind
Now that you have identified the source of your negative thinking along with the negative thoughts, you can combat them by renewing your mind. It’s as simple as replacing the negative thoughts with positive thoughts. When you catch yourself in negativity pause and redirect yourself to the truth.
² Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.
Romans 12:2, TPT
As it says in Romans 12:2, when you reform your thought life you will be inwardly transformed. The great thing here is that you are not left to do this great reformation by yourself. Holy Spirit will help you as long as you ask Him. Then, the scripture says that you will be empowered to discern God’s will and live a beautiful life that is satisfying and perfect in His eyes. That’s is an incredible statement! I love uncovering these promises in the Bible because they are so encouraging not to mention powerful.
Step By Step Guide to Journaling
Journaling is a proven technique used to help us to self reflect and move toward positive change. I recommend starting by journaling your thoughts. You can use the notes in your phone, a blank journal, or my mindset journal. Any one of these options work as long as you commit to writing down your thoughts in regular intervals.
Here’s another promise from Jesus to encourage you on this thinking journey. In Hebrews 10:16, Jesus said He will fasten His word (the Bible) to your thoughts. This is another great revelation. If you do your part and examine your thinking, He will place the truth (His word) in your mind.
“Afterwards, I will give them this covenant: I will embed my laws into their hearts and fasten my Word to their thoughts.”
Hebrews 10:16 TPT
30 Day Commitment To Journaling
If you are serious about eliminating negativity in your life, you will need to attach an action to your choice. Commit to 30 days (one month of journaling) for three to five days a week. Yes, it is a lot and it will impact your schedule. However, putting a time limit on your commitment makes it a priority so it doesn’t get lost with all the other commitments on your plate. Okay, now that you have committed to journaling let’s get to it!
Here is the formula for journaling your thoughts. Examine these four elements and begin writing:
A. Write down your thoughts
These are your raw thoughts regarding whatever you are battling this season of your life. Don’t overthink it. Just write down anything and everything that comes to your mind even if you think it’s insignificant.
Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my heart and my mind.
Psalm 26:2, The Amplified Bible
B. Look at the root of your negative thoughts
What are your personal challenges with these particular negative thoughts? Identify why this is bothering you so you can overcome, get to the other side, and resolve this issue. Look for triggers and ask yourself why you are being triggered. Don’t forget to invite Holy Spirit in to this conversation. He is the Comforter and Counselor and He can help you to discern what you’re dealing with in your thought life.
But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor-Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.
John 14:26, The Amplified Bible
C. Ask yourself: What’s the truth about the situation?
Start with being brutally honest with yourself and write down the hard truth about the situation. Honesty really is the best policy. Embracing the truth releases true freedom into your life.
For if you embrace the truth, it will release true freedom into your lives.”
John 8:32, TPT
Look at this footnote from The Passion Translation in verse John 8:32:
The truth Jesus gives us releases us from the bondage of our past, the bondage of our sins, and the bondage of religion. Jesus was speaking these words to those who were not fully free from man’s traditions. Truth must be embraced and worked out through the divine process of spiritual maturity. The Greek word for “truth” is reality. To embrace the reality of Christ brings more freedom into your life. See the book of Galatians for a clear explanation of the freedom Jesus referred to here.
D. Reflect on the lessons you are learning
Ask God to show you what He wants you to learn. Let this epiphany be one that benefits you and use it to change your choices and achieve your goals.
At last we have freedom, for Christ has set us free! We must always cherish this truth and firmly refuse to go back into the bondage of our past.
Galatians 5:1, TPT
Moving Forward
Letting go of our past and redeeming our thoughts with God’s truth is the key to your future. Invite Holy Spirit in and let Him show you the way. You are only one thought away from achieving your greatest dreams and fulfilling your life goals.
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