In Part 1, we looked at the dangers of counterproductive thought patterns, and how such “stinking thinking” results in terrible feeling, behavior, and relational breakdown. We investigated the first two major categories of this– mindreading and mind-feeding—then how to recognize and overcome them.

Now we’ll explore the third major category of “stinking thinking” and how to overcome it, the transformative benefits of overcoming all three, and some general tips:

  1. “Mind-bleeding” — Limiting beliefs, which cause despair and depression. “I can’t __ because__” Or, “I’m not ___ enough to ___”.

Or, feeling that the past has become our destiny. It’s too late to change it. We’re victims of how others have hurt us and/or our own failures.

We overcome this by: 

  • Focusing on the Lord—Who He is and what He’s done, and how He loves us. Then, when the devil gets us to question “Who am I to even dare or try to…?”, we tell him, “It’s not who I am, but who GOD is that counts!”

Besides looking at Scriptures that describe the Lord, worship really helps with this.  Having a noisy time with our quiet time, or any time of day; listening to songs that remind us of His character; etc.  The truth that He’s both sovereign and good is encouraging— this means He’s powerful enough to do whatever’s needed in and through our lives, and loving enough to want to!

  • Learning from the past while realizing we’re not stuck in it— the past is part of our journey, not a jail! When we look at the back of our life’s “tapestry” and see all the dark threads, it can discourage us. But the Lord is weaving all the threads, including the black ones, together to create the best possible picture, and we’ll see that when we reach heaven (Rom. 8:28-29).

That’s why Is. 43:18-19 is one of my life-verses—Don’t ponder the past… He’s doing something new in our lives!  It’s ok to look at a hole to avoid it, but don’t lean over it and ponder what’s down there, or we’ll likely fall back in it!

–Disappointments are the Lord’s appointments—if not directly, then at least a way of getting us to talk with Him!

–Think enabling thoughts, not disabling ones. That makes us go from a victim-mentality to becoming victors!

  • Realizing that “His strength is perfected in [our] weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). No one likes to be weak or limited or lacking, but that’s what makes us go to the Lord for help, so HE gets the glory, not us, when we’re enabled to do great things! For example, if I lift a car off of someone to rescue them, we’re all going to know Whose power that came from!

Benefits

Now that we’ve looked at the negative side of negative thinking, let’s consider the benefits of replacing destructive thought patterns with godly, edifying, and uplifting thinking:

  • A better r.ship with Lord— More trust leads to more contentment, which leads to less complaining and heartache.
  • More Spirit-based confidence— Limitless belief in His love and empowerment, which leads to less victim-mentality and more victory.
  • Better relationships with others– More kindness, less conflict, as our thoughts become kinder and more loving.
  • Other benefits… spend some time thinking of them—this will be a great exercise in productive thinking!

 

Take Every Thought Captive

So, “…take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5). What about unconscious thoughts? Hundreds of them sneak by and lodge in our soul!  How do we know they’re there?  By the evidence— Thoughts lead to feelings, which lead to speech and action (Prov. 23:7, Luke 6:45).

Recently, we discovered we had mice in our cabinet.  How?  We hadn’t seen any.  But we had seen their little “memento droppings” in our pots, pans, and containers.  And, seeing that evidence and bad product, we went after them to “take them captive” and get rid of them!

 

General Tips

  • Don’t try and change by yourself. It doesn’t work.  We need accountability— a small group, close friends, and/or family member.  Those we live with are best, since they can observe the outcome of our thoughts!
  • Recognize spiritual warfare when it happens. The devil doesn’t like us thinking positive and encouraging thoughts. We’re in a constant battle. Some of us, like me, don’t like battle. That’s why I don’t play goalie on soccer teams! But, since we have to face it, we need to “suit up” with both defensive and offensive spiritual armor and weaponry (Eph. 6:10-18).
  • Gather the Lord’s reinforcements—in Scripture, sermons, books, online devotionals, articles, etc. When He wants to teach, remind, challenge, assure, and encourage us of something, we’ll see and hear it repetitively.
  • Start today! It’s never too late to start doing (and thinking) what’s right.

Change your thought-patterns– it will change your life, for the better!