Six Things You Can Do to Overcome Intrusive Thoughts

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

1. Thought Replacement: This is when you deliberately replace any negative thoughts with positive ones or with a Bible verse that nurtures godly values. 

   
   

2. Practice Gratitude: You can shift your mindset to something positive by counting your blessings and focusing on something that makes you feel grateful. 

   
   

3. 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! 

   
   

4. 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. 

   
   

5. Acknowledge and Label the Thought:  When an unwanted thought enters your mind, simply label it as such without judgment. 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.

   
   

6. 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).

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.

"Together we can share your stories, promote your cause, and connect you to your target audience one word at a time."