Recognizing Negative Thought Patterns

Negative thought patterns can be a touchy subject. Some people, like myself, hear the phrase negative thoughts and immediately get defensive, or use it as a way of self-punishment. Others use it as a way to deflect onto others or prove that they have no negative thoughts ever. Why is the concept of negative thoughts patterns so triggering? Maybe because deep down inside were all afraid of secretly being bad.

I have to think back to the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve had a perfect life. They lived in harmony with God and His creation, knowing no pain or evil. Yet because they fell prey to Lucifers lies they opened up a veritable Pandora’s Box of negative thought patterns for the whole world.

Adam and Eve had no need of a conscious or inner voice to guide them. They were in communion with God and yet somehow they were lured in by evil. How can someone who is essentially pure be convinced of the lies of Satan? How can someone who is in that close of a relationship with God have any desire to be their own god?

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.

John 10:28-30

I think the problem is blaming Adam and Eve and not Satan. Yes, Adam and Eve chose poorly, but if you put it into the perspective of how seductive Lucifer’s evil was to them that they would choose to believe him over God, then how much more are we susceptible to him?

And that is where I fall short today. I live in an almost constant stream of negative thoughts that have been molded by my past abuse. Worse yet, I have been set up to be my own abuser and not even recognize it. I don’t see my thought patterns as negative but as normal and true. If it feels true and to me, it looks true, then how can it not be true? Isn’t that exactly the way Lucifer tricked Adam and Eve?

I have been trained to believe I am evil, ugly, stupid, useless, unwanted, and unloved. Yet the Bible says that I was created for a good purpose, out of love, by a Father who wanted me and made me in His own image. Those are very opposite things, but because I can’t see God’s truth when I look at myself, I have a very hard time believing Him. But, is it because of my past abuse, or is it simply a part of the curse of receiving the knowledge of good and evil?

knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

1 Peter 1:18-19

Adam and Eve had no shame or self-hatred before they ate the fruit of the forbidden tree. It was not until after they ate of that fruit that they had a skewed and self-centered view of themselves and others around them. It was receiving this knowledge that changed them from their God-centered identity to soul-centered beings. When we let our soul rule, we leave out God’s truth and focus on the soul’s truth.

Our souls are not inherently evil, but they are highly influenced and can be connected to evil. Evil has perpetrated this world and Satan’s goal is to keep us from that spirit-centered God-fearing identity we were meant to live out of. If he can get us to focus on the material and physical things that concern our souls, then he can keep us in his bondage. We, unfortunately, make it very easy for him, by agreeing with his lies and eating the fruit over and over again.

How do you get out of the rut of negative thought patterns? How do you combat the lies that continually prevail upon you, sometimes minute by minute? The obvious answer is the Word of God, but for some of us, that is not enough. Many of us struggle to read the Word, or even retain what we read. The enemy has already manifested a stronghold within us to keep us from forming that deeper, intimate connection with God’s Word.

He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Psalms 107:20-21

It is a painful situation to be sure, but it is not insurmountable. God is so much bigger than the lies that have been instilled within us, and yes He is even greater than the knowledge of good and evil we ingested. That is why God sent Jesus to die on the cross. He knew there was no way we could overcome these obstacles on our own. He knew there was never going to be one quick fix to solve all of mankind’s problems in a fallen world.

Jesus’ blood will overcome all of your pain, struggles, fear, and the lies you have on repeat. His blood is the salve for your weary and wounded soul. It is not a one-and-done prayer that is going to heal you, but constant use of God’s Word and Jesus’ blood over your heart and mind to bring you into alignment with His truth. There is no pray one thing or doing one thing that will ever fix our problems because if there were then we would never seek out Jesus.

We need to get to know the heart of the Father and seek His face. When we look into the face of the Father we see a reflection of how He sees us mirrored in His eyes. We are not a mistake, but dearly made and wonderfully loved by Him. It doesn’t matter what your past taught you or what lies Satan used from them to teach you. What matters is day by day reflecting in God’s love for us through His love and through faithful submission to His sanctification in us.

Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.

Jeremiah 17:14

Healing is a slow process and it takes time, but that’s a good thing. God uses all of that time to show you the many facets of His love, grace, and character through the process. It’s a beautiful thing that we should never forsake. He is good and you are covered in His goodness.

Pray this: Jesus, please cover my mind and negative thought patterns in your blood today, helping me to take all my thoughts captive in Jesus’ name. Heavenly Father, I surrender to you today for healing, all of my mind, body, soul, will, and spirit because I trust You with my healing process, in Jesus’ name.

I love you my dearest brothers and sisters. Keep fighting, and never give up. <3

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.

Colossians 2:9-10