How to Stop Negative Thoughts Pt.2

3 Green Abstract Flowers

In part one of our series, How to Stop Negative Thoughts, we discussed how listening to faith building messages and meditation in the Word of God is an important part of renewing your mind and getting rid of negative thoughts.

Another aspect of renewing your mind is to filter the things you see and listen to and being careful whom you spend time with. Phillipians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.” (World English Bible)

In 1 Corinthians 33 we find, “Don’t be deceived! Evil companionships corrupt good morals.” (WEB)

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above everything else guard your heart (mind,emotions, thoughts), because from it flow the springs of life.” (International Standard Version)

The things you focus on and think about, will effect your emotions and actions and can even cause physiological changes in your body and brain. According to Caroline Leaf, author of Switch On Your Brain: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health, “Research shows that 75 to 98 percent of mental, physical, and behavioral illness comes from one’s thought life.”

Dr. Leaf talks about how each thought that we have, becomes a physical substance in our brain. Good, positive thoughts are seen as pink, healthy proteins in our brain while negative, destructive thoughts turn into twisted, harmful structures. These deformed proteins cause unhealthy reactions in our bodies that lead to stress, inflammation, and disease, decreased resistance to sicknesses etc.

Our thoughts are determined by the things we focus on. What kind of movies and TV shows do you watch? What kind of music do you listen to? Who do you spend your time with? You can’t get rid of negative thinking unless you filter what goes into your eyes and ears. Granted, you won’t be able to get rid of all the negativity in your life but is there anything you can change?

Some examples: Spend less time with the family member who always focuses on what’s wrong with the world, or that friend from church who gossips about other people. Instead of watching that television show that’s filled with sarcasm, and vulgar language, read an uplifting book or play a fun game with your family. While driving to work, if you can’t find anything positive on the radio, listen to an inspiring CD.

How to Stop Negative Thoughts- Part One

Bible Tablescape

God’s Word has the power to totally eradicate negative thinking and obtrusive thoughts. Many people, including Christians, are tormented daily by negative thoughts, feelings and self-talk. This can be in the form of impure thoughts, thoughts of harming themselves, or other people, shame of past behavior, all kinds of fears or thoughts that lead into obsessive compulsive disorders.

For many years, as a Christian, I dealt with tormenting thoughts. I went to see various counselors and attended support groups and tried almost everything they suggested. These things helped in a limited way and while I’m grateful for the things I learned and for the people who reached out to me, it was not enough.

I finally got the help I needed after I left the religion I grew up in and started going to a different church. I received a revelation that God loves me and that the promises in the Bible are for me today. I learned that casually reading my Bible every day, would not automatically make me free from the negative thoughts that plagued me. I had to renew my mind with the Word of God. Here are some ways on how to do that:

Listen to some good faith building messages every day. When I sense depression, fear, anxiety and negative thinking trying to take over my mind, I know I’ve not spent enough time in the Word. If the attack is severe, I may put everything else on hold and spend an hour or two giving the Word my full attention- listening to some good faith teaching and preaching via the Internet, my mp 3 player or a CD etc.

Another way to renew your mind is by meditating in the word. A good verse to meditate on when you feel worried is Proverbs 3: 5-6.

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Read it over and over and personalize it for your specific situation. For example, “I trust in the Lord with all my heart; I don’t lean on my own understanding. In all my ways I acknowledge Him, and He directs my paths, He shows me what to do. I never worry about anything. I trust in the Lord concerning our finances, I trust in the Lord to help my husband make wise decisions, I trust in the Lord to help us get our roof fixed. I trust in the Lord to take care of my (family member) and put someone across her path to let her know that God loves her and has a good plan for her life…”

At times of intense pressure, I sometimes do this for at least an hour or until faith replaces the worried thoughts.

If you are dealing with a situation or difficulty, get some scriptures that apply to your situation. Start saying them again and again as you contemplate them in your mind. Think about how it applies to your situation. This will set you free and allow God to start working in your situation.

Click here for How to Stop Negative Thoughts part 2.

Disclaimer: The information found in this post should not replace professional help, please use wisdom and get the counseling and medical help you require.

Raymond T. Richey: Healed of Tuberculosis

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Sparrow in TopiarySpeaking scriptures and faith filled words over and over will build your faith and cause your answers to manifest. Romans 10: 17 says, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” The more you hear yourself speaking those things that the Word of God say belong to you, the more you’ll believe it and bring it into your life.

Raymond T. Richey, a healing evangelist born in 1893, had contracted tuberculosis while working in the ministry. He was confined to bed. By September of 1919, he had given up on life and he was upset with God for not healing him. God spoke to him and reminded him that the church was believing for his full recovery and also reminded him of the miracles He had done in Ritchey’s family in the past. Richey was repentant and started saying, “Dear Lord, forgive, I do remember and I do believe.”

He opened the Bible and read Psalm 103:3, “Who forgiveth all thine iniquities, Who healeth all thy diseases.” Richey slowly got out of bed and whispered in a weak voice, “I praise You, Lord, I praise You, Lord, I praise You, Lord. I know You are healing me.” Each time he praised God, his voice got stronger until he was shouting. His strength increased rapidly and he knew he was healed.

He was staying with some friends at the time and went to find them. When Richey found them, he shouted, “The Lord has healed me. The Lord has healed me. The Lord has healed me … ”

As he was running up the steps to his room where he was staying, “the devil whispered, ‘Your lungs may be healed, but don’t forget that your heart is in very bad condition and you have been warned that any sudden excitement or over exertion is liable to prove fatal.’ The reply to this was, ‘God has healed my heart as well as my lungs,’ and back down the steps he ran and up again and, to quote him, he has been ‘running ever since.’ ”

After that time his lungs remained healthy and strong. He had meetings almost continually; at times up to seven meetings a day.

In this example, once Mr. Ritchey realized God wanted him well and started declaring out of his mouth that he was healed, his body lined up and the sickness and weakness had to go.

From the book “What God Hath Wrought in the Life of Raymond T. Richey” by Eloise May Richey.

Vintage Angel Art, Faith Confession Card

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I created this faith confession card using vintage angel art, courtesy of OpenClipArt. It’s a great supplement to your child’s daily Bible study time.

Psalms 91:11 – God has given His angels charge over me, to protect me and guard me wherever I go. They hold me up in their hands, so I don’t hurt myself in any way.
Hebrews 1:14 – The angels are ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for me because I am an heir of salvation.
Psalms 103:20 – The angels excel in strength and do his commandments. They obey the voice of his Word. As I speak God’s Word and God’s will out of my mouth, the angels see to it that what I say, comes to pass.
Psalm 34:7 Because I reverence the Lord, His angel surrounds me, and protects me.

5 x 5.3 Vintage Angel, Angels

For sale as a 5 x 3.5 card at Zazzle

Dodie Osteen:Healing Scriptures for Cancer

Previously, I wrote a post on Dodie Osteen: Healed of Cancer  Here is a list of the healing scriptures she used to fight cancer:

Proverbs 4:20-22 – My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.  Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

Joshua 21:45 – There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.

Philippians 2:13 – For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Romans 8:11 – But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies, by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

2 Corinthians 1:20 – For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Matthew 8:2-3 –And, behold there came a leper and worshiped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Exodus 15:26 – And said, “If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statues, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians; for I am the Lord that healeth thee.

Exodus 23:25 – And ye shall serve the Lord your god, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.

Deuteronomy 7:15 – And the Lord will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon them that hate thee.

Malachi 3:10 – Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a bless, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Psalm 103:1-5 – Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my sour, and forget not all His benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 107:20 – He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Psalm 118:17 – I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 30:19 – I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.

Psalm 91:16 – With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.

Isaiah 53:5 – But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Jeremiah 30:17 – For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, said the Lord; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This Zion, whom no man seeketh after.

Matthew 18:18 – “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Matthew 18:19 – “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.”

Mark 11:22-23 – And Jesus answering saith unto them, “Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.”

Mark 11:24 – “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them.”

Isaiah 43:25-26 – I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.26 Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.

Mark 16:17-18 – “And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

John 9:31 – Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshiper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

John 10:10 – “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

Galatians 3:13-14 – 13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14That the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Hebrews 10:23 – Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised.

Hebrews 10:35 – Cast not away there your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.

Joel 3:10 – Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.

Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.

3 John 2 – Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

James 5:14-15 – 14Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

1 Peter 2:24 – Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto rigteousness: by who stripes ye were healed.

1 John 5:14-15 – And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

1 John 3:21-22 – Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

2 Timothy 1:7 – For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 – For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; 5Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

Ephesians 6:10-13 – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and have done all, to stand.

Revelation 12:11 – And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Nahum 1:9 – What do ye imagine against the Lord? He will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.