I Want to Break Free from Negative Thinking
Do you consider yourself a ‘cup half full’ or a ‘cup half empty’ person? Do you wish you could find positivity or reasons to be thankful amid any situation? We likely all know someone able to take even the worst scenario and turn it around, making it the best it could be. How does he or she always find the silver lining? What does it take to break free from negative thinking? We will examine three scriptural strategies over the next few weeks to lay a foundation for critical change.
Let’s Start in the Word of God
Philippians 4:4-9 (ESV) says this:
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
These verses will form the framework for our discussion over the next weeks. Perhaps you are very familiar with these words and they may have little impact as you read them. Undoubtedly, many sermons and bible studies have revolved around these famous phrases. So, instead of tossing them aside because I can’t imagine hearing anything new about them, I want to dive deeper and see what I can learn. How do I break free from negative thinking? It begins with choice.
You Have a Choice
I grew up in a home where Dad’s voice was loud and powerful. My mom was gracious and meek, and since I am much like her in personality, I adopted many of her ways. I perceived her not having many choices; she didn’t step out to make her opinion or thoughts known. I often wished she would stand up for herself or give a strong word in defense, but I became much like her in pattern and deed. Consequently, I believed I didn’t have a choice in many areas of my life. Unknowingly, I was embracing a victim mentality that left me feeling disempowered and negative. For years I wasn’t even aware how internalizing these faulty beliefs were harming me. I was living life the only way I knew how.
Wise counsel through hard times has taught me however, that I have choice in everything regarding myself. No one else is responsible for my thoughts, attitudes or behaviours. While I share many of my mother’s traits, it is up to me how I live with them. I have a choice in every situation what I will think, feel and choose. If I’m honest with myself and you, I often choose poorly. But I am continuing to grow as God consistently and patiently refines me, allowing me to break free from my negative thinking.
Paul in the New Testament
Similarly, Paul challenges the reader to a fresh way of thinking and therefore, living. In the preceding chapters, he addressed their need for Christ-likeness, to stop grumbling and complaining, pursuing a heaven-bent mindset. It seems Paul cannot stress enough that this life is not about us or our desires, but Christ’s. We then come to chapter 4 where he commands us to rejoice and think on what is noble, right and true. Insert the thought from above that states we are responsible for our own thinking. Friend – scripture, podcasts and blogs can urge you toward what is good all day long, but until you choose to think on “whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely…” you cannot break free from negative thinking.
David & Jeremiah in the Old Testament
Old Testament writers also challenge us toward this life-giving choice. David, for example, urges his readers to choose well by focussing on God in the hardship. Here is a portion of Psalm 103:
” Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
In addition, Psalm 119:30 says, “I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I set your rules before me.”
In Lamentations 3, Jeremiah spouts one complaint after another, blaming God for much of the trouble he had faced. His words are graphic and brutal. But just when it seems all hope is gone, there is a drastic change of direction.
19 I remember my affliction and my wanderings,
the wormwood and the gall!
20 My soul continually remembers it
and is bowed down within me.
21 But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[a]
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
So even with the incredible hardship and bleak outlook, we hear Jeremiah’s charge in verse 21: ‘BUT this I call to mind’. Choice! There is a deliberate call to action here! If anyone needed to break free from negative thinking, it was Jeremiah! With a stack of evidence around him that life had not been fair and God seemed far off, he called to mind God’s goodness. He looked to the love of God, the mercy of God that is new every morning and the faithfulness that is greater than anything else.
What About You?
Considering these verses, how are you feeling regarding your ability to break free from negative thinking? The last thing I want to express is for you to feel you should suck it up, making a quick and simple choice to do better. Seldom is the solution that black and white. I’m asking you to consider your mindset and look at these verses for guidance.
- Can you focus on what is true, honourable, pure and lovely? Or do you only see what is terrible around you?
- Are you able to look to God and bless him as the only one who can deliver from sin, disease, and the pit we find ourselves in?
- When all hope seems gone, can you recount the truth of who God is?
- Can you choose differently, even in one area today?
What now?
Your answer might be no to any or all three of my questions…and that is ok. Your awareness is the best place to start. Honesty with yourself, then taken to God is a beautiful step in the right direction. Perhaps you are in a place where you need help to break free from negative thinking. Contact me if you would like assistance and accountability as you move toward change. However, if you are stuck in a negative cycle due to trauma or debilitating habits and feel therapy would be a better place to start, contact Mercy Seat Ministry.
Father God, you know us and love us still. We don’t deserve your mercy that is new every morning or your faithfulness that never ends. You are so good. We need your help as we break free from negative thinking. Lead us by your word so we can think, feel and choose differently. Holy Spirit, we need your guidance to make the necessary changes. Thank you we are not alone on this journey.
