Six Things You Can Do to Overcome Intrusive Thoughts
- Isabella Boston
- Aug 31, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Phillipians 4:6-7.
Intrusive thoughts can not only be frightening, but they can also make us feel guilty. They are unwanted negative thoughts that enter our minds, and sometimes they are things that we would never willingly choose to think about on our own. We often find ourselves worrying that God will be mad at us for thinking such horrible things or that something bad might even happen to us for thinking about them in the first place.
So what can you do?
First of all, I want to tell you that our Heavenly Father tests the mind, and He knows our true hearts (Jeremiah 17:10). God loves you, and He will not hold you accountable for thoughts that are not from your heart. But, if it will make you feel a little better, you can do what I do whenever I get intrusive thoughts: as soon as I get one, I sometimes say, "Forgive me, Heavenly Father, for that unwanted intrusive thought. I am so sorry." Or you can also silently rebuke the unwanted thought in the name of Jesus Christ and try not to think about it anymore.
Sometimes, the best thing we can do is pray and have faith that God will remove any negative thoughts we are having in Christ Jesus, and then carry on with our day, doing something positive and constructive with our time (1 Thessalonians 4:11).
Let's look at six other ways you can overcome intrusive thoughts
Thought Replacement: This is when you deliberately replace any negative thoughts with positive ones or with a Bible verse that nurtures godly values.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Practice Gratitude: You can shift your mindset to something positive by counting your blessings and focusing on something that makes you feel grateful.
Engage in Spiritual Activities: Block out those negative thoughts by spending time in prayer, reading scriptures, or engaging in other spiritual activities that can provide you with guidance and comfort. I have found much comfort in singing hymns!
Distraction: When an unwanted thought arises, distract yourself by getting busy and doing something positive. Go for a walk in nature, learn a new hobby (painting, sculpting, sewing, needlepoint, or learn a new language), read a good book, write a story or poem, or go help someone else who is going through a problem. Helping others not only distracts us from our own problems, but it also strengthens our relationship with God through Christ Jesus and helps us to feel better about ourselves.
Acknowledge and Label the Thought: When an unwanted thought enters your mind, simply label it as such without judgment. Embrace it, let it move through you, then let it float away! I find this extremely helpful. Remember, it's just a scary or annoying thought that has no power over you. Don't focus on it. You are protected by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Be Patient: Be loving, kind, and patient with yourself. Overcoming ungodly and unwanted thought patterns takes time and consistent effort.
In conclusion, please know that you are not alone, because everyone experiences unwanted and ungodly thoughts at one time or another. Accept it as a natural part of life and keep praying to God about it. God is faithful, and He will help you through all the battles you may be facing.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Phillipians 4:8).
An Invitation to Accept Jesus Christ into Your Heart
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16.
If you are reading this and have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I ask you to do so now. You are not reading this by coincidence. The Word of God says: "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." - Romans 10:9-10.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Our Heavenly Father and Creator sent Him to die for our sins (John 3:16). All sins, no matter how big, are covered by the sacrificing and atoning blood of Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:13-14, 1 John 2:2, 1 Peter 3:18).
The time is now. There will be no second chance after death: "And just as it is appointed to man to die once, and after that comes judgement, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him." (Hebrews 9:27-28).
Life is your second chance. Every second of the day that you live, God is giving you the chance and opportunity to accept the gift of salvation given to all of us through His Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross.
I repeat: There will be no other chance after death.
Jesus said, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." - Matthew 7:13-14.
Which road will you take? The choice is yours, but the time is now, because tomorrow is not promised to any of us. (Proverbs 27:1).
There is no "in between" either. You must pick a side, for Jesus Christ has said, "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." - Matthew 12:30.
"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'" - Matthew 28:18-20.
How to Accept Jesus Christ into Your Life
Confession of Sin: Acknowledge you are a sinner and need forgiveness (Romans 3:23)
Belief in Jesus: Believe He is the Son of God, died for your sins, and was resurrected (Romans 10:9)
Repentance: Turn away from sin and self-centered living.
Invitation: Ask Jesus to come into your heart and life as Lord and Savior.
Commitment: Choose to follow Him and live for Him.
Gratitude: Thank God for the gift of salvation and eternal life.
I plead with you, with all my heart, to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Please repent of your sins, and profess with your mouth from your heart the following: that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (John 20:31, 1 John 4:15, Romans 10:9), He suffered and died on the cross for the sins of the world, God raised Him from the dead three days later, and He accended into Heaven and now sits at the Right Hand of our Almighty Father and God (Hebrews 1:3, Romans 8:34). He will come again to judge both the living and the dead. (2 Timothy 4:1). And, finally, please make every effort to get baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, Matthew 3:15),
You must confess all of the above things from your heart for the gift of salvation that was given by Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, on the cross. If you need some help, please use the example below as a prayer from Pastor Rick Warren:
"Dear God,
I believe Jesus Christ is your Son. I confess I have sinned, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died to take away my sins and that you raised him to life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow him as Lord from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will.
In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
Remember, it's not just about the words, but the sincere attitude and change of heart that matters to God. You can pray in your own words or use the prayer above.
Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World! Please accept Him into your heart and life today and spread the good news!
I testify by the Holy Spirit of God that these things are true. I say all of this to you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, our Lord and Savior, amen.
"Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." - Revelation 22:12-13.
Author’s Bio
Isabella Boston is a wordsmith and the creator of Bella’s Attic Studio: A multi-media writing platform and storytelling blog specializing in copywriting, marketing, and content writing.
She is well-versed in medical terminology and scientific research with a focus on the areas of neuroscience, immunology, and functional health. She is also a diarist, creative nonfiction writer, and published author.
Aside from being a writer, Isabella is a book lover, language enthusiast, and most importantly, a woman of God in Christ Jesus.
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