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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
Chronic negative thinking, depression, anxiety, and similar disorders are on the rise all over the world. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 40 million adults in the U....
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Judy Jentz
Supporter
I think Chronic Negative Thoughts are related to OCD- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and are one of the many behavioral health issues our world deals with. I have an illness that is incurable and also disabilities. I went through a 2 year period of Major Depression and Anxiety. The depression got so bad that it lead me to suicidal ideation. Immediately I thought to myself, "does this mean my faith is weak"? I got so bad I had to go to a Dr. to get medication to help me. Our Church was in an interim period of finding a new Pastor at the time and the Pastor who is interim comes to my home and gives me Communion. I discussed my issues with 3 pastors and they all assured me that it did not mean my faith is weak. There are people in the Bible who got depressed also. It is a matter of how our brain functions, chemically. I have thoughts that come into my mind that I don't mean either. I talked to God about it and told Him I was going to ignore them because I believed He knew how I really felt in my heart and that by ignoring them it would help it to stop. I think we all get thoughts in our heads at times that are negative. They are a part of our human sinful nature. But, by believing in God, and trusting in Him that He knows what you really feel, and then ignoring these negative thoughts, I believe you can get them to stop. Talk to God and trust Him. I don't think He wants you to crucify yourself by going crazy over these thoughts. It is part of an illness as I said earlier called OCD. If you keep obsessing over the thoughts they are going to come forth like a volcano erupting. Your key words are to trust God and believe in Hm. He knows when a person is well or not and these all, including myself, are illnesses of the brain. I wish you hope, blessings, confidence, and patience.
Eileen Larson
Supporter
I have been over coming negative thinking through learning God's Word, confessing the negativity as sin, and confessing my trust in God and His promises. It takes hard work and time, just like maturing physically.
Andrew Osakue
Supporter
Romans 12:1-2 is the key Scripture to help you out. Your mind is the battlefield of life. Proverbs 4:23 admonishes us to keep our heart with all diligence because out of it comes the issues of life. You can get the expected victory over this situation by renewing your mind with the word of God daily. Search the Bible to fish out the Scriptures relating to this problem and speak them back to the devil when he tempts you. The word of God is the only offensive armor you have to battle the devil and get victory. Ephesians 6:17.
Jeffrey Johnson
Supporter
How can I stop having negative thoughts? How can I overcome negative thinking? In his letter to the Romans, Paul expressed feelings that many of us can relate to. Although he was a faithful Christian, he struggled internally—a battle between his earnest desire to do God's will and his inclination to act on wrong desires. In addition to this inner conflict, Paul at times struggled with negative feelings about his past and about a persistent problem he was facing. Read Romans 7:21-24 Before becoming a Christian, Paul, earlier known as Saul, did things that he would later regret. For example, he watched with approval as faithful Stephen was stoned to death. (Acts 7:58; 8:1) Also, Saul took the lead in viciously persecuting Christians.—Acts 8:3; 26:9-11. Paul fought his negative emotions successfully because he believed the ransom was a gift to him personally. (Gal. 2:20; read Ephesians 1:7.) HOW WE CAN FIGHT NEGATIVE FEELINGS Develop a good spiritual routine; it helps us focus on the positive. Read Romans 12: 11-12. Even with a good spiritual routine and a study program tailored to our needs, we cannot expect negative thoughts and feelings to disappear completely. We may still have days when we feel miserable! But with God's help, we can lessen negative feelings when they arise. Summarisation of the topic Negative thinking can be overcome by replacing harmful patterns with truths that steady your mind, strengthen your heart, and reshape how you interpret your experiences. Recognise the Source of Negative Thoughts Negative thinking often grows from fear, guilt, or discouragement. Scripture teaches that these influences do not come from God. "God did not give us a spirit of fear" (2 Timothy 1:7). Identifying the source helps you reject thoughts that undermine your peace. Replace Lies With Truth Negative thoughts thrive when left unchallenged. Philippians 4:8 directs you to focus on what is true, honorable, and wholesome. This is not denial—it is choosing to anchor your mind in realities that build faith rather than weaken it. Renew Your Mind Through Scripture Romans 12:2 teaches that transformation comes from renewing the mind. Regular exposure to God's Word reshapes how you interpret situations. Over time, your thinking becomes aligned with God's perspective instead of your fears or assumptions. Cast Your Burdens on God Negative thinking often comes from carrying emotional weight alone. Psalm 55:22 says to cast your burden on God, and He will sustain you. Giving your worries to God frees your mind from constant pressure. Pray Honestly and Persistently Philippians 4:6–7 shows that prayer brings peace that guards your heart and mind. Honest prayer interrupts negative spirals and invites God's calming presence into your thoughts. Guard Your Heart Against Harmful Influences Proverbs 4:23 teaches that you must protect your heart. Negative thinking grows when you feed it with discouraging voices, unhealthy comparisons, or destructive environments. Guarding your heart means choosing influences that strengthen your faith. Focus on God's Faithfulness Negative thinking often exaggerates problems and minimises God's care. Lamentations 3:21–23 shows that recalling God's past faithfulness restores hope. Remembering how God has helped you before builds confidence for today. Take Thoughts Captive 2 Corinthians 10:5 instructs believers to take every thought captive. This means refusing to let destructive ideas roam freely. You evaluate each thought: Does it align with God's truth? If not, you dismiss it and replace it with what is right. Walk With Supportive Companions Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 shows the value of companionship. Sharing your struggles with spiritually mature friends helps break the isolation that fuels negative thinking.
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