Struggling with unwanted thoughts while trying to live a Christian life? You’re not alone. Discover 7 effective ways on how to deal with unwanted thoughts to control your mind and stay focused on God.
As Christians, we all strive to have pure and righteous thoughts, but the reality is that unwanted thoughts can creep into our minds. These thoughts can be negative, distracting, and even tempting, and they can make us feel guilty and ashamed.
I’ve been struggling with negative and unwanted thoughts myself as well, ever since I started to live a more Christian life and pray regularly. It’s weird, I don’t recall having these thoughts before that… or at least not so many or… violent… or horrible.
However, it’s important to remember that we are not alone in this struggle and that God is with us every step of the way.
In this article, we will discuss how to deal with unwanted thoughts from a Christian perspective.
We will explore practical tips and biblical principles that can help us overcome these thoughts and focus on what is good, pure, and holy.
1. Acknowledge the Unwanted Thoughts
The first step in dealing with unwanted thoughts is to acknowledge them. Ignoring or suppressing them will only make them stronger.
Instead, we should acknowledge the thought, and then bring it to God in prayer. Confessing our unwanted and negative thoughts to God can help us to release them and gain a sense of peace.
In Psalm 32:5, David writes:
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
By confessing our thoughts to God, we can find forgiveness and freedom.
2. Replace the Negative Thought
Once we have acknowledged the thought, we need to replace it with a positive and uplifting thought.
For instance, if we find ourselves having jealous thoughts toward someone, we can replace those thoughts with positive affirmations, such as “I am happy for their success and look forward to achieving my own goals.”
Or if we have a negative thought about ourselves, we can replace it with a positive affirmation, such as “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14) or by repeating the Jesus Prayer in our mind.
3. Recognize the Source of the Thoughts
Unwanted thoughts can come from a variety of sources, including our own minds, external influences, and spiritual warfare. It’s important to recognize the source of the thoughts and to address them accordingly.
For example, if the thoughts are coming from our own minds, we may need to work on changing our thought patterns and focusing on positive and uplifting thoughts.
If the thoughts are the result of external influences or spiritual warfare, we may need to pray for protection and ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and strength.
From my personal experience, every time I listen to “trending” modern music or watch shows/TV/series that may include impure things such as lust, or idolatry, my negative thoughts grow much stronger.
So because of that, I’m trying to cut down on any type of entertainment for the masses that are popular these days. Sure it’s a struggle, especially when I’m going to the gym, and there’s tons of explicit stuff blasting from the stereos non-stop, but I just put on my headphones and listen to some non-vocal music, even though it’s not ideal, it’s still for me at least, better.
I mean, don’t get me wrong, some of that music is pretty catchy and I would lie if I say I don’t enjoy listening to it. But I know it’s not really good for me in the long run, especially since a lot of those songs have sneaky subliminal messages hidden in them. So, I think it’s probably time to cut ties with that music for good, the same way I quit pornography and other things.
4. Pray for God’s Help
Dealing with unwanted thoughts can be challenging, and we cannot do it on our own. We need God’s help and guidance. We can pray for God to help us overcome our negative thoughts and to strengthen our minds with His truth.
Apostle Paul writes:
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5
By taking our thoughts captive and surrendering them to God, we can find strength and peace.
5. Seek Support
Dealing with unwanted thoughts can be challenging, and it’s important to seek support from other Christians.
Talking to a trusted friend, pastor, or counselor can provide encouragement, accountability, and practical strategies for dealing with unwanted thoughts.
Additionally, being part of a supportive Christian community can help us feel connected and empowered to overcome negative thoughts.
In Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, we are reminded of the power of having support:
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
6. Practice Self-Care and Spiritual Disciplines
Taking care of ourselves is an important part of dealing with unwanted thoughts. Practicing self-care activities such as creating a morning routine, exercising, healthy eating, and getting enough rest can help us feel more balanced and resilient.
Additionally, spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible reading, and worship can help us stay connected to God and cultivate a sense of peace and well-being.
7. Practice Gratitude and Focus on the Positive
Focusing on negative thoughts can cause them to linger and grow stronger. Instead, shift your focus to the positive aspects of your life and practice gratitude. This can help to retrain your brain to focus on the good and create a more positive mindset.
Examples of ways to practice gratitude and focus on the positive include keeping a gratitude journal, listing things you’re thankful for, and intentionally focusing on positive affirmations.
Additionally, reading and meditating on uplifting Bible verses can help to shift your focus towards God’s love and goodness.
Final Words: How to Deal With Unwanted Thoughts
Dealing with unwanted negative thoughts can be a difficult and ongoing struggle, but as Christians, we have the hope and assurance that God is with us every step of the way.
But if we acknowledge our thoughts, replace negative thoughts with positive ones, pray for God’s help, and seek support, we can learn to deal with these unwanted thoughts, overcome them, and focus on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. As it says in Philippians 4:8
