Toxic thoughts are corrosive to our spiritual, emotional, physical, and relational well-being. Learn to identify negative thinking patterns and develop mental and spiritual strategies to overcome negative thinking. Change negative thinking with biblical wisdom and help for breaking the pattern of negative thinking. I hope you enjoy this expanded update to the most visited post on my website.
Are you ready to stop letting your thoughts boss you around?
With nearly every conversation we ask, “How are you?” I answer, “Fine. I am doing well.”
And I am.
And yet at the same time, beneath the fine, I often hold a silent conversation with myself. Negative thoughts invade the peace of my days, breaking in just when I think I’ve put them to rest.
Strategies to Combat Negative Thinking
Negative thoughts take on a life of their own if we permit the old accusations and toxic patterns to have their say. It can be helpful to understand common types of negative thinking. I wrote about that in this post on how to identify and overcome negative thinking. Self-criticism that comes with personalizing and minimizing are a few of the patterns I’m working on. Kindness to others comes easier than kindness to myself. Do you say things to yourself you would never say to someone else? In fact, healthy and holy choices with our thoughts and emotions is my most popular and impactful speaking topic because we need encouragement and strategies to combat negative thinking.
When we develop the mental and spiritual strategies to overcome negative thinking, we shed ourselves of dead-weight internal words that drag us down and distort our perceptions.
When it is quiet, and its just you and your thoughts, what is your heart saying? Consider the following strategies that have brought a deeper level of wellness and freedom in my thinking.
- Embrace your ability to choose the thoughts you dwell on.
Awareness is the first step to making better choices with our thoughts, words, and actions.
Think about what you're thinking about. When negative thoughts bombard your mind, choose to reject toxic thinking. #overcomenegativethinking Share on XIn Holy in the Moment, I shared a helpful illustration that helps me to break the cycle of negative thought patterns.
Your mind is a door to your soul, and you are the doorkeeper. Though there are many things in this life you can’t control, God has gifted you with the ability to open and shut the door to your mind, to choose what you will think about.
You can choose thoughts you will receive and the ones you will reject. I’m not saying you can keep a thought from knocking at the door—but you can choose whether or not you will agree or dwell on the thought. The more attention and confidence we place we place in a thought, the stronger it grows. Isn’t it time to learn to shut the door to unwanted thoughts? -Holy in the Moment
A powerful way to break the cycle of negative thoughts is to recognize that our emotions are responses that indicate what we believe to be true in the moment. Reframing our inner conversation to acknowledge our feelings but focus on truth changes the neural pathway of the thought.
Awareness of the types of negative thinking empowers us to make a different choice when these kinds of thoughts that demand our attention by pounding on the door of our minds.
2. Pray for God’s help for breaking ingrained thought patterns.
Prayer is a powerful practice for overcoming our tendency to dwell on the negative. Many negative thought patterns run under the radar of our awareness and are often habitual patterns that can be hard to harness. God is the one who does the heavy lifting in transforming our thoughts. A simple strategy is to ask Christ to empower you to recognize negative thoughts and to make a better choice. In the moment, rely on Christ to help you to choose to break the cycle of toxic thinking:
- Faith in the place of doubt.
- Rely on the Spirit rather than default to old patterns of the flesh.
- Good instead of evil.
- Love rather than animosity.
- Trust instead of anxiety.
- Forgiveness rather than bitterness and resentment.
- Right instead of wrong.
- Purity over immorality.
3. Bring your thoughts under the control of the Holy Spirit.
In 2 Corinthians 10:5, we find a powerful and practical strategy for making holy choices with our thoughts: “We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5 AMP, emphasis added).
To capture our thoughts is to recognize and notice them, and it is also refusing to let toxic thoughts run wild, build walls, define identities, or drive decisions. Capturing is surrendering thoughts to Christ rather than letting them fester or entrench themselves in our minds.
We bring Christ into the negative when we entrust our thoughts to Him. Dr. Caroline Leaf explains that when we do this, something amazing happens both spiritually and physically. Harnessing negative thought, changing it through awareness, repentance, and forgiveness, and replacing it with truth helps rewire healthy new circuits in our brains, part of God’s transforming work in our minds. (Switch on Your Brain: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health, p. 71, affiliate link).
4. Renew your mind by meditating on God’s Word.
On a quiet morning I prayed about my negative thoughts. God drew my attention to these words in Psalm 104:33-34. As I wrote them in my journal the Holy Spirit shared new insights with me. If you want to change your negative thinking patterns, praise and meditation are powerful ways God can transform our minds and renew our thoughts. Here is a sample of what I learned as I listened to God as I reflected on His Word.
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live
- Praising God is a life style.
- It’s a choice for every day.
- Praising God makes our heart sing (rather than strive within us).
I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
- Music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, creativity, and memory.
- A worshipful mind becomes part of who we are and how we live.
Let my meditation be pleasing to Him;
- Meditation in this case refers to our thoughts.
- This is a prayer, a goal, and an intention: to have thoughts that are pleasing to God.
- There is a partnership between our intention/action and God’s provision.
As for me, I shall be glad in the Lord.
- This is a commitment and a decision to make.
- I shall indicates both choosing and believing; it relates to both process and outcome.
- Gladness is the both an intention and the by-product of focusing on God rather than our complaints or troubles.
- When gladness is my state of being, I will not be held captive by negative self-talk.
5. Memorize key verses to replace negative thoughts with God’s truth.
One of the weapons of spiritual warfare is the sword of the Spirit. The Word of God is living, active, and powerful for fighting the battlefield in our minds. Try memorizing a few of the scriptures below to break the pattern of negative thinking in your life.
I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.–Psalm. 119:11 NLT
Win the Battle in Your Mind
Friends, negative thinking is not going to go away on its own. Those toxic thoughts will not straighten up and decide to play nice. Let unattended, our thoughts run rampant with complaints, fears, criticisms, envy, bitterness… Take your pick–there’s plenty to choose from.
Rely on Christ as you practice these strategies to stop negative thinking. Just a warning: this is NOT a one-time thing. Fight the battle as many times as it takes. Remember that you have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit to help you. When negative thoughts bombard your mind, entrust the Holy Spirit to do what you cannot do on your own.
Only when we let go of our toxic thinking will we have empty hands and ready hearts to receive God’s blessings. This is an intentional choice we make to obey God and honor others, as well as ourselves. Free from our toxic thinking, we can thrive in the confidence we are loved, valued, and filled in Christ.
5 Powerful Scriptures to Combat Negative Thinking
Win the battle for your mind with these powerful verses. Speak, write, pray, sing, or memorize God’s word to replace toxic thoughts.
Let God’s truth change the way you think.
1. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ… 2 Corinthians 10:5
3. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
4. The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3
5. For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing 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
Going Deeper Begins With Our Thoughts
Are you ready to stop allowing your thoughts to boss you around? Yes, me too! Together, let’s stop allowing toxic thoughts to sabotage our spiritual, emotional, physical, and relational well-being. Go deeper than the surface of your thoughts to identify negative thinking patterns as you practice these mental and spiritual strategies to combat negative thinking. Apply biblical wisdom as you trust Christ to break the pattern of negative thinking.
Friend, a deeper life starts now as we combat negative thinking. What helps you to break free from negative thoughts?
If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links in the footer below.
I’m asking God to help you overcome negative thinking today!
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Looking for more verses to add to your arsenal in the battle for your thoughts?
Get this practical, free e-book Overcome Negative Thinking for a Deeper Life: 50 Scriptures to Combat Negative Thinking in my Subscriber Library. If you’re already a subscriber, head to our free gift page and download your copy. Use this little book of encouragement, scriptures and images to encourage your heart and empower you to win the battle in your mind! (Updated contents!) Sign up here to get my emails and access to the library.
If this post resonates with you, please check out my book, Holy in the Moment Simple Ways to Love God and Enjoy Your Life, particularly the chapters on thoughts and emotions. *This is an affiliate link at no cost to you.
Don’t miss these related posts:
- Why Positive Thinking is Good for a Healthy Body, Soul, and Spirit
- Why You Should Stop Discounting Your Anxiety
- Are Your Feelings Defining Your Faith
- 10 Free Resources for an Emotionally Health You
- 20 Toxic Ways of Thinking That Will Poison Your Life
- 3 Reasons Why You Should Let Go of Negative Thinking
So glad you're here. I help busy women—gals like you— build healthy habits for living well with biblical wisdom and practical steps to deepen your faith, increase your hope, and thrive in your purpose.
Great verses! So encouraging!
These verses have made a big difference for me. Thanks for hopping over. Blessings, Friend:)
Love this, Ginger! (and I LOVE that last font!!!!!!) All of those Scriptures are among my very favorite. I love “think about what your thinking about.”
Thanks so much, Diane. I am always encouraged when I read your posts. I’m happy you’ve found a blessing here today. Our thoughts are so powerful, more so than we realize. Have a terrific weekend;)
Ginger- this was very helpful! I battle negative thoughts too.I will be checking out your mentioned Scriptures and getting them in my arsenal!
Stopping from #faithfilledfriday
Julie
Welcome to my virtual hangout,Julie. Negative thought shows up in so many forms, but they all have the power to keep us stuck. It is a battle well worth fighting. Thanks for stopping by!
Amen, Ginger. Thank you for sharing.
Hey Friend–thank’s for the Amen! I think of you as someone who spurs me on when it comes to choosing to think positively.
Powerful and mountain moving verses! One of the best lessons I have learned in compating negative thoughts is choosing not to allow them. It takes a lot of intention and constant awareness. You should share on Fresh Market Friday linkup, which is all about living an intentional life.
Intention and awareness are so key–I totally agree. Thanks for the recommendation on Fresh Market Friday–I’m not familiar with that one. Crystal, I’m glad you chimed in the conversation today. Have a great weekend!
Dear Ginger … thanks for this much-needed reminder about our negative thoughts, grumbling words, whiny attitudes.
Well said and gratefully accepted!
Welcome, Linda. The interesting thing about writing on this topic is I am writing to myself, spurring myself on to stand firm against negative thinking that comes so easily. I’m grateful you have found encouragement here today.
Perfectly On time!!!! Thank you for your willingness to share Gods insight with us. Big hugs from KS
Happy Day, Friend. What a sweet joy to see your comment this morning. I love how God times things. May He bless you over and over through the encouragement of His word in your thoughts.
Thanks Ginger! This is so timely. I’m definitely sharing this with others. Miss you, girl!
Hey Friend! I miss you too!! Hope you’re having a good summer. Thanks for sharing!
I love how you remind us that we have a choice. These are things we can do. Sometimes I let my thoughts get away from me, but the Lord tells us to take every thought captive, and that’s what I want to do. Thanks for these strategies, Ginger!
For my my “want to” and my “am-doing-it” don’t always line up. You know the hard thing about a good intention is the follow through. It’s a little comforting to know I’m not alone in this challenge. Isn’t is wonderful when we can all help and encourage one another!
Ginger,
You are so right. The toxic thoughts aren’t going to play nice and we have to have a sound offense and defense strategy to deal with them. Psalm 19:14 is one of my favorites, in fact I have a bracelet engraved with the scripture. Putting on my full armor and stopping the thoughts in their tracks. Be blessed today sister. Happy to be visiting from #raralinkup
What great words to have on a bracelet as a visual reminder to keep your thoughts in line. Thanks so much for visiting today. May God bless the words of your heart as you share with others through blogging.
I love this post. What a sweet reminder and a great resource to add to my tool-box. I struggle in this area of negativity despite my gratitude journey I have been on for several years now. God bless sweet sister!!!
“Pray like crazy!” Love this post and will pass it on.
Thanks so much, Sue. I love it when friends pass along a post. I’m enjoying interacting with you via comments. Pray like crazy and keep your thoughts focused on what is good and true. Have a great week.
Ginger,
Yes…filling our minds and hearts with Scripture and praying are key. Thanks 🙂
You’re going to think I’m nutty, but I was thinking of you earlier today. God must have wanted us to reconnect. God’s word helps us to keep our thoughts focused on Him. Blessings today.
Love the verses and “pray like crazy.” Signing up to get your ebook.
I hope you find it helpful! Thanks for signing up. I’ll be interested to know which verse helps you the most.
Hi Ginger, I just “stumbled” upon your website and I just can’t get enough!!! I just stepped into leadership at our church with a focus on facilitating my group via Zoom. Currently, we are reading Battlefield of the Mind. This post is spot on with our study. I’ll be sending out your link to everyone in our group for sure! Love your heart and conversational style. Abundant blessings on your reach for His Kingdom!!! oxoxo, Lisa
Hi Lisa! Welcome to my website. It is a joy and honor to have you hear. I’m so glad you’ve really connected with the content God is writing through my life! It’s a journey for sure. Thank you for sharing with your friends. I hope you’ll check out my book and the study guide and sign up to get all the subscriber resources. You’ll love them as they are lot’s more and more extensive than what is here in this post. Blessings!
Hi Ginger indeed the scriptures lay out what we need to be thinking about, Philippians 4;8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. and we are also told to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Every thought not some. Thank God that the Lord has empowered us by His grace to obey His commands. Thank you.
Hi Bisi, so glad you could join us today. Thanks for sharing one of my favorite verses for winning the battle for our thoughts. Love how you pointed out that it says “every” thought. Sometimes I find myself picking and choosing. Here’s to asking the Holy Spirit to enable us to be aware and responsive to his nudges.
Great post! I would love to see a post on helping those we love overcome negativity.
Blessings to you and yours!
Marie, negative thinking is a hard pattern to change. Awareness and prayer open the door for God to work thought by thought in our lives. What a beautiful gift we have in Holy Spirit who expresses the mind of Christ to us, in us, and through us. Blessings to you today!
Hi Marie, So glad you’ve enjoyed this post! Thanks so much for the great suggestion. It’s always a joy to hear from readers!
Ginger, thanks for taking time to write this. It is worth it. I’m personally grateful.
I’m so glad this was helpful for you. Our thought life is deeply important. Blessings to you and yours!
Hi Steve, thanks for leaving a comment. Being attentive to our thought patterns is challenging. Yet, there are many blessings when we are able to recognize our struggles with negative thinking. Hope this was helpful for you!