“Be careful what you think,
because your thoughts run your life.”
–Proverbs 4:23, NCV
“Your thoughts run your life.” That would explain why worrisome thoughts can turn into paralyzing fear, pessimism into debilitating discouragement, and sadness into utter hopelessness.
No one wants to dwell in such misery.
But if a person is facing difficult circumstances, and she allows her thoughts to run amok on auto-pilot, she’s likely to slide downward into hyper negativity. Climbing out is difficult.
“Snap out of it!” someone will say. Not very helpful.
“Look for the silver lining,” advises another. Easier said than done when tragedy strikes–and lingers.
“Spend some time in reflection.” That’s what one web site recommends, offering sixteen questions for a person to consider. Most of us don’t have time for that much introspection–nor the inclination–when we’re hurting.
So, how can we climb out of a miserable pit of despair?
By replacing negative thoughts with positive thoughts, especially scripture.
You see, our brains cannot focus on two things at once. Prove it to yourself by counting to twenty and reciting the ABCs at the same time. You’ll find you’re either counting or reciting, not both simultaneously.
We can apply the same strategy to negative thinking. At the first moment we realize our thoughts are headed in the wrong direction, we can confess it and ask God to help us renew our minds:
“Lord, I don’t want to think about this anymore; it’s accomplishing nothing. Help me to refocus on what is noble and right, pure and lovely (Philippians 4:8).”
Then we start singing a favorite praise song, or quoting an uplifting scripture, or listing all the reasons we can trust God in this situation.
For a start, the bold-print quotes below highlight some common threads of negative thinking. Following each is a positive scripture as rebuttal:
“There is no way this situation is going to work out.”
Oh? “In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, italics added).
“I can’t stand another day of this.”
Oh, yes, I can stand. I can put on the full armor of God, so that in this day of trouble, I may be able to stand my ground” (Ephesians 6:13). Restoration will come.
“I am never going to succeed.”
Not true. God says [he] will accomplish all [his] purposes (Isaiah 46:10b, italics added). What greater success could there be than to accomplish the purpose of Almighty God?
“I have no idea how to proceed; maybe I should just quit. This is just too hard.”
I can pray as the author of Hebrews did: “May the God of peace…equip me with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in me what is pleasing to him” (Hebrews 13:20-21).
“Sometimes I can’t seem to do anything right. How can God use me?”
It is God who made me the way I am, with specific plans and purpose in mind: to do good works according to the gifts and talents he’s given.
_________________________
If the comments in bold print are our focus, our lives will surely head in a downward direction toward discouragement and hopelessness.
If, on the other hand, we focus on the promises and positive affirmations of scripture, we head in an upward direction toward wholeness, productivity, and joy.
“He enables [us] to go on the heights” (Habakkuk 3:19)–above the doubts and uncertainties.
“Outlook determines outcome” (Warren Wiersbe, Be Mature, p. 22).
(https://quotefancy.com/quote/931807/Warren-W-Wiersbe-Outlook-determines-outcome)
* * * * * * * * * *
What scripture promise or affirmation lifts you up when circumstances try to pull you down? Add your favorites in the comments section below!
Photo credits: http://www.flickr.com; http://www.needpix.com; http://www.heartlight.org; Nancy Ruegg; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.quotefancy.com.
(Revised and reblogged from April 16, 2015, “Focus Determines Direction.”)
From the Inside Out 
Amen. We have got to recognize that the battlefield is in the mind.
“Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)
Amen, Ann! And that verse from Romans is a terrific battle cry!
Dearest Nancy, you just described the antidote to cynicism, which seems to be the spirit of our day. These negative thoughts, that come creeping in and steal the hope and joy right out from under our faith. THANK YOU for reminding us to keep the Word in the forefront of our minds. YES, outlook indeed detemines outcome. Well said, Nancy!
Thank you, Heidi. I didn’t even think of cynicism as one of the negativity-categories that can steal our hope and joy. So glad you mentioned it by name. It’s a sly one for sure!
Nancy,
You worded it well and yes, there is much around us. I claim Philippians 4:4-9, 13, 19, among many other favorites. Blessingas Janet
Oh, yes–those verses from Philippians offer powerful instruction and encouragement–they’re among my favorites too. Thank you, Janet!
Thanks so much for this, Nancy. From early childhood I have been a negative/depressed/fearful type of person. I do believe that some of us are ‘wired’ that way chemically. However, over the years things have very much improved for me because of the Lord and the directives and promises in His Word…much like your wonderful post outlines. Also, medication has been beneficial for me. However, I give God the glory for that as well because He bestowed upon mankind the knowledge to invent such remedies. One of my devotionals this week emphasized that I cannot reflect Christ’s light with a negative countenance. All the more important to stay rooted in the Word and hold firmly to His promises…a necessity if we are to lead others to Christ. Isaiah 40:31 is a great verse to turn to.
Depression runs in my family as well, and am equally thankful for medications that offer relief. Isaiah 40:31 is wonderfully encouraging–complete with inspiring images for those of us who are visual learners!
I love this, Nancy! I’m using Warren Wiersbe’s Be Mature right now as a resource for an inductive study through James. Great stuff! Thank you for the reminder that we don’t have to allow unruly, negative thoughts to rule the day, that we have a choice as to what we’ll focus on.
I hadn’t pondered the fact that we can’t focus in two directions at once…I’ll be more mindful of the direction my thoughts are taking, and steer them back towards our Father’s Word as needed! No better replacement for negative thoughts! Blessings to you, friend! 😊
Rebeca! What a delight to see you again! How about that–you’re currently using Wiersbe’s book, Be Mature. While perusing it again for this post I had the same reaction: Great stuff! I need to read and ponder it again. Blessings to you, too, Rebeca. Are you writing/blogging again? I’ll have to visit Standing Stones to see!
I’m not writing again…yet. I’ve really been feeling the itch to jump back in, but my hands are pretty full. The Lord graciously keeps reminding me that my homeschooling/momming time is not yet finished, and that my energies need to be focused on my two youngest. (Girls, 15 and 17.). Soon, I’ll be back, I hope!
My duties are loosening ever so slightly, so I hope to keep up a bit better on my visits to friends’ blogs. I’m always so encouraged here. Thank you for your faithfulness in sharing your gifts! 😊
Good reminder the importance of listening to our self talk, reframing and like you pointed out the power of music to lift our spirits.
Thank you, Jean! Reframing (especially with scriptural truth) can make a powerful difference, that’s for sure! I like your choice of verb, reframing!
I loved this Nancy!! Phil 4:8 is one of my top 5 favorite verses!! A verse that has really ministered to me this year is Romans 15:13!! What a treasure it has been!! Thank you for this post!
SO glad this post ministered to you, Lisa. Romans 15:13 is indeed a treasure, reminding us of the overflowing hope God provides through his Spirit. Continuing to pray for you two, as your challenges shift!
Wise words, Nancy. Memorizing and meditating on all sorts of Scriptures helps me guide my thoughts toward a godly outlook. Without them I’m very much inclined to let unguided thoughts “run my life.”
Thank you, Mitch! Isn’t it amazing that life can present us with all sorts of situations and problems, and God’s Word provides us with all sorts of help and hope? Memorizing passages and meditating on their truths IS life-changing, that’s for sure!
Nancy, this is very good, and so very true, too. I had to chuckle a little when you made the statement about how our minds can’t focus on two things at once. For, about a year ago, our insurance company required a yearly “memory test.” As part of the test, I had to remember some words, in order, that the nurse told me, while at the same time I had to draw a clock from memory, and I can’t draw, and I did horrible at both. So, this made me smile.
With regard to what you wrote about here, though, I thought this was excellent! And, this is something I put into practice regularly, for I have one of those minds that never stops thinking. And, sometimes my mind starts thinking negative thoughts, and the Lord speaks to me, and oftentimes it is through a song. For, he gave me over 100 songs to write since 2011 which are all scripture put to music, and so he puts one of those songs in my head, often, to combat any negative thoughts or emotions, and that gets my mind and heart refocused in the right direction. I remember scripture better when it is put to music.
But, sometimes he just makes me consciously aware of where my thoughts are headed so that I can reign them in, and so that I can replace them with the right kinds of thoughts. Oftentimes it is just the devil lying to me and so I have to reject the lies and replace the lies with the truth – spiritual warfare at work.
What a beautiful gift God has given you, Sue, to write so many scripture songs. With all those verses in your head, you are well-armed for spiritual warfare!
Yes, Nancy, it is a beautiful gift! And, yes, the scripture songs are in my head all throughout the day, so yes, I am armed for battle. Amen! Praise the Lord! And, thank you for sharing that with me.
A merry heart determines a person’s outlook on life, and our outlook determines our outcome! Proverbs 15:15 : “All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he that is of a merry heart has a continual feast.” There are powerful truths here that are somewhat obscured by the KJV English. First, instead of feast, think banquet, celebration. Here is how some other translations read: NIV : All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continuous feast. AMP : All the days of the desponding are made evil by foreboding thinking, but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast, regardless of the circumstances. MESSAGE : A miserable heart means a miserable life! But a cheerful heart fills the day with song! (Because we often sing as well as eat at banquets!) The point is: Your outlook on life determines your outcome. If you think oppressed, desponding, discouraging thoughts, you will create bad days, and bad things will occur in your life. They will turn around and generate more bad thoughts, depression, discouragement, and so on. But if you choose to think cheerful thoughts even choose to sing joyful songs even in the midst of bad circumstances, you will have a life of continual feasting at the banquet table of God’s Word and the blessings it brings. Proverbs 23:7 : As a man thinks in his heart so is he. In other words, it s the heart that creates the banquet. If you have a downcast heart, you’ll have a downcast day, a downcast week, a downcast month, a downcast year, and a downcast life!
Thank you for your added insights, Alex. I especially appreciate your inclusion of Proverbs 15:15 from The Message. A day filled with song is certainly a worthy endeavor. Praise God he makes it possible to live that way!