How to Battle Negative Thoughts

SummaryHave you ever wondered how to battle negative thoughts spiraling out of control in your mind? When you are going through your day feeling overwhelmed by mental chatter, harsh self-criticism, and whispering lies telling you that you are not good enough or that God has forgotten you, it is incredibly discouraging. If you are desperate to know how to break that mental loop and find real peace, you are in the exact right place!In this episode of the Arise Women of God podcast, host Tamara K. Anderson is joined by counseling student and author Tiffany Fletcher to unpack a biblical approach to mental health. Discover the "two-step punch" to evicting mental darkness: first casting out the adversary's influence in the name of Jesus Christ, and then using the power of narrative therapy to rewrite your internal story with God.We also look at the story of the prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 19 to reveal how negative thoughts love to strike when we are physically depleted, and why you should "never doubt in the night what you learned in the day." Tiffany shares practical visualization tools to shift your brain out of fight-or-flight mode so you can hear the Spirit clearly. Tune in to learn how to run your thoughts through the filter of Philippians 4 and let God re-author your story today!Episode TakeawaysThe Two-Step Punch: You cannot reason with darkness while it is sitting in the room! When your mind is spiraling, you must first cast out Satan's influence in the name of Jesus Christ. Only then can you choose a new, positive story for your mind.Narrative Therapy (Romans 12:2): Renewing your mind is an active, daily reprogramming! Ask yourself: What negative, unhelpful story am I telling myself right now? Ask God to help you re-author your story. If you put God in your story, you can do anything!The Philippians 4:8 Filter: When a thought pops into your head, run it through the biblical filter. Is it true, honest, pure, and lovely? If a thought is accusatory, toxic, hopeless, or shaming, it fails the filter and is NOT from God. You do not have to give it rent in your head!Physical Depletion (1 Kings 19): Negative thoughts strike when we are tired, just like they did to Elijah. God didn't shame Elijah for his catastrophic thinking; He gave him food and sleep! If negative thoughts hit at night when you are exhausted, ask God to put them on the shelf until you are rested.Free Resource: A Woman's Guide to Spiritual Warfare Get our free A Mother's Spiritual Defense Guide: 6 Empowering Steps to Fortify Home & Family downloadable pdf here: https://www.womenwarriorsoflight.com/A-Mothers-Spiritual-Defense-GuideReflection QuestionsWhat is one negative, unhelpful "story" you have been telling yourself recently that you need to ask God to help you rewrite?Run your current mental chatter through the Philippians 4:8 filter. Are your thoughts true, pure, and lovely, or are you giving "rent" to accusatory, shaming lies?Are you currently trying to battle negative thoughts while physically exhausted? How can you show yourself grace and prioritize rest like God did for Elijah?Host & GuestTamara K. Anderson @tamarakandersonTiffany Fletcher @tiffnyfletcherTranscripthttps://www.womenwarriorsoflight.com/blog/how-to-battle-negative-thoughts