5 Ways to Take Control of Your Thoughts

You've heard the saying, "It all begins and ends in the mind. What you give power to, has power over you if you allow it."

In other words, If you give power to negative, life-draining, anxious-filled, worrisome thoughts, that's what your life will become.

So what you do when you can't seem to shake unhealthy thinking?

Let me give you some practical, simple ways to shake off thoughts that are not moving you forward and keeping you in a dark place, an unhealthy place--a place that is keeping you from being all that you are destined to be.

1 Realize you are fighting from a place of victory and not defeat.

The scripture says in 1 Corinthians 15:57-But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

What does that mean? You are not destined to fail, you are designed to succeed.

Don't let the negative voices inside your head convince you that things will never get better. God can help you make it through anything and with His help and right thinking, you can and will win over the battle of the mind.

2. Take one thought at a time.

It can get overwhelming if you're trying to tackle every negative, toxic, unhealthy, demeaning thought. So don't focus on all the thoughts at once, focus on one thought at a time.

Let me give you an example...you may have the thoughts that you aren't good enough which leads to other negative thoughts. Don't focus on all of the negative thoughts, focus on the one-"I am not good enough.” When that thought comes in your mind, take control of it. "No, that's not the truth. I am good enough, in fact i'm more than enough. I've been made in the image of God. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. God knew about me before I was even formed in the womb. I am His Masterpiece. I am the apple of God's eye."

It might be the thought-"I'll never get beyond the place I'm at right now." One thought at a time-"No, that's not right, God wants me to live an abundant life, one where I'm fulfilled and happy. God wants to do the exceeding abundantly in my life, and I'm not made to stay where I am physically, spiritually or emotionally. I am made for progress. I am made for more."

You see where I'm going with this? Tackle one thought at a time.

3. Interrupt those thoughts with the Word of God.

Get God's Word in you so you know how to combat those toxic thoughts. The scripture states in 2 Corinthians 10:5-We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. You have to take those thoughts captive!

Here's some great scriptures to get you going:

1 Corinthians 2:16-I have the mind of Christ.

Philippians 4:13-I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

2 Timothy 1:7-I don't have the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Ephesians 3:20-God is able to to do exceeding abundantly above all I could ask or think, according to the power that works in me.

John 10:10-The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus has come to give me life and to have life more abundantly.

Hebrews 13:5-God will never leave me or abandon me.

Get God’s Word in you until it starts coming out of you!

4. Get up and do something

You can't allow yourself to sit and go deeper with those unhealthy thoughts. You need to get up and do something to take your mind off of it.

Do you know how many times I have gotten up in the middle of the night and did a load of laundry? Haha, it's the truth. I didn't do it because I had loads of laundry and I wanted to get caught up, I did it to interrupt an anxious thought I was having in the middle of the night. Why? I knew if I laid in bed and dwelled on it, I would go deeper into feeling anxious.

Did it work? Yes, and I got laundry done!

The goal is to stop yourself from going deeper into thoughts that are causing you to be anxious, stressed and worried.

5. Call a friend that will help you through it.

You need to have friends that are strong in faith so they can help you bring life back into your life. You need someone who can pray for you, encourage you and lift you out of a dark place. The scripture says, "Encourage one another and build each other up" 1 Thessalonians 5:11 You need that friend you can call in the middle of the night to help you get through your struggle.

Taking control of your thoughts requires action. It's not remaining passive and hoping the thoughts will fade. You have to stop those negative thoughts in their tracks and not allow them to walk about freely in your mind.

One thought at a time.

When you change your thinking it really will change your life for the better.

April xo

P.S. Watch a full episode on Taking Control of Your Thoughts on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/Q00fS8Nyz_