Negative thoughts are something that I've fought against a large part of my life, I would have these opinions and beliefs that would be repeated in my mind daily and they formed my pattern of thinking. This resulted in a warped self perception, it changed the ways in which I interacted with people, as I always doubted if they really liked me or I would count myself out when it came to opportunities. As complex and interesting as the human mind is, with its ability to be innovative, curious, remember things and store nostalgic memories, it seems that we let a large space of our mental capacity be taken up by negative thoughts.
I am worthless
I am a failure
I deserved to have those bad things happen to me
Nobody would care if I were to kill myself
I'm always the problem
God doesn't really love me
Such thoughts that are echoed in our own voices or the voices of those who perhaps said such words to you, have such a crippling effect on our lives. The mind is always the starting point and there are many quotes and studies that confirm how our mind influences our actions, moods and outlooks on life. If the mind thinks negatively then it is difficult to live a joyful life, if the mind can only identify negativity within your circumstances then it is difficult to let hope shine, and you may lose sight of why we must keep the faith and stay expectant of blessings to come.
One thing that took me a while to really understand is how negative thoughts can be spiritual warfare taking place. I believed that all the thoughts I had in my mind, which were really lies of the enemy, came from myself. When really the enemy had planted seeds to get me to reach a point of discouragement that I would quit life altogether, not believe God or that He could do anything that He'd said he would in my life. The enemy attacks different aspects of people's lives and I had failed to realise that your mind is a place that he can attack too. God gives us ideas, He reveals hidden mysteries and revelations by supernaturally widening our capacity to understand, He gives us visions. We are to renew our minds daily because that is a place of battle, how we think is so important and influential, which is why God instructs us to renew our minds with The Word, that is filled with truth and promises, the kind that would expose the lies of the enemy.
It's not that you are a bad person, it's not that you are worthless, it's not that you are unlovable. It's the enemy wanting you to believe those lies in order to create distance between you and God, between you and your community, between you and your destiny. He wants you in isolation to only keep attacking you like vultures do to dead prey, he will stop at nothing to make you quit, rebel, disobey what it is God's wants for you to do.
But there is Jesus
His name, His blood, His power and authority are available to you to use against the lies of the enemy. Declare these aloud, think them in your mind whenever those negative thoughts try to intervene, read the word often to keep taking in what God says about you.
I don't worry about anything; I pray about everything. Telling God what I need, and thanking Him for all He has done.
I am clothed with strength and dignity, I laugh without fear of the future
I know that God can do anything, far more than I could ever imagine or guess or request in my wildest dreams!
I have been called to live in freedom
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer
God, I'm not trying to get my way in the world's way. I'm trying to get your way, your Word's way. I'm staying on your trail; I'm putting one foot in front of the other. I'm not giving up.
I know the vision is for a future time, it will not fail. Even though it delays, I wait patiently for it, because it will certainly come; it will not delay.
The Lord directs my steps and establishes them
I have a diligent soul
I am strong and courageous
The Lord is at my right hand I will not be shaken
I will trust in the Lord
I have patient endurance so that I may continue to do God's will and then I will receive all that He has promised
I am fearfully and wonderfully made
I am above and not beneath
I am altogether beautiful and there is no flaw in me
My God protects me from murderous enemies
My God will show me the path of life; in His presence is the fullness of joy, in His right hand there are pleasures forever more.