When You’re Tempted to Think the Worst

I’m so happy to share my friend Kelly Basham’s words with you today! Kelly is also focusing on the fruit of self-control this month and has some great inspiration for how to keep our thoughts in check…

Do you think the worst when someone pays you a compliment?

Not too long ago I was getting myself ready to go out for dinner with my husband. After trying on outfit after outfit, I finally settled on one. I asked my husband how I looked and he told me I looked fine.

Fine?

My husband’s words weren’t harsh or unkind, but I kept coming back to them on our way to the restaurant. I replayed them in my head over and over again.  I couldn’t help but wonder what he really meant when he said, “You look fine.”

The longer I thought about it, the more negative my thoughts became.

He doesn’t think I look fine, he was just being polite.

He probably doesn’t even like what I chose to wear.

I bet he thinks I look frumpy.

Does he still find me attractive?

On and on my thoughts went….

By the time we got to the restaurant I was convinced my husband thought I looked terrible. I was no longer in the mood for date night. In my threatened state of mind, I was cold and distant towards my husband. Instead of enjoying the evening, I was overwhelmed with worry, fear, and doubt. And all because I let my thoughts run wild…

Fear Separates Us From The World

I don’t like the person I am when fearful thoughts rule my heart.  When I allow my negative thoughts, doubts, and insecurities to roam freely in my head I shrink back in fear. Deep within the depths of my heart, I’m afraid those who are closest to me are thinking the very same things. Out of fear I build walls, and before I know it, I’ve closed myself off from the world.

How do we stop our thoughts from consuming us? Is it possible to prevent them from taking over?

In 2 Timothy 1:7 Paul tells us:

God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of POWER, LOVE, and AND SELF-CONTROL.(NLT, emphasis mine)

Christ has already set us free from the burden of fear. We don’t have to live like we are controlled by our thoughts, doubts, and insecurities.  We can depend on Christ’s power and strength to help us overcome our fears.

Stop Those Negative Thoughts in Their Tracks

When our negative thoughts come rushing in we don’t have to give into them. We can stop them in their tracks before they take over. [tweetthis]We don’t have to give in to negative thoughts-we can stop them in their tracks before they take over! @Kelly_Basham #SelfControl[/tweetthis]

2 Corinthians 10:5 reminds us to

take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Instead of giving our thoughts free reign we can refocus them on the positive truths from scripture. For example, if we’re tempted to think we aren’t good enough, strong enough or worthy enough we can focus our thoughts on what it says in Psalm 73:26:

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”  

The next time our mind starts going in the wrong direction, let’s stop those thoughts before they gain any traction and turn them back towards all that is good, true and worthy. The more we fill ourselves with the glorious truth in God’s word, the less room there is for our fearful thoughts to take root and grow.

Kelly is passionate about pointing others to the nourishing truth and wisdom found in God’s word. Kelly lives in the Nashville, Tennessee area with her husband Brandon and their two college-age children. When she isn’t writing you’ll probably find her working on a new arts and crafts project, hunting for vintage accessories, or planning her families next visit to the mountains. Read more from Kelly over on her blog Blossom in Faith. You can also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

P.S. Don’t forget to get in on our awesome #SelfControl giveaway this week! Sign up to receive the blog posts and you’ll be automatically entered into the giveaway! I’ll notify the winners by email by 4/26/17. I hope you’ll join us as together we Follow His Footprints!

Linking up with Crystal Storms at #HeartEncouragement

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11 thoughts on “When You’re Tempted to Think the Worst”

  1. It’s scary how our thinking can spiral out of control and have such a huge impact on everything else, but it is important to remember we can choose where we focus our thoughts and be proactive in fighting against fear and negativity. Thanks for this encouragement.

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  2. Thanks so much for sharing here at Jill’s today, Kelly. Yes, controlling my thoughts–especially worry and fear– and taking them captive to the Word of God is something I’m trying to grow in. Definitely harder to actually DO than to think about doing! I’m making slow progress, step by step.

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