Overcoming Negative Thinking and Attitudes

Negativity — characterised by unfavourable and adverse outlooks — can subtly erode faith, diminish hope, and keep believers from stepping into the fullness of life and inheritance that God intends. Yet Scripture provides a decisive pathway from defeat to victory, calling us to renew our minds and align our thinking with God's truth.

Breaking Free from a Negative Mindset

Don't allow life's difficulties or negatives to cause you to resign yourself to a life of "if only …" and so prevent you from entering into your inheritance and potential in Christ. In the name of Jesus "rise up", in faith shake off the shackles of the past that have held you in bondage (Act 3:6-8). Satan's strategy is to keep us in ignorance of the blessings that are ours in Christ, besides bringing feelings of inferiority and doubt to get us sidetracked and focused on our weaknesses and incapability rather than recognising God's power to help and promise to guide (Ps 32:8, 48:14; Jn 16:13). Being around a negative person creates an unsettling within you; the grumbling and complaining can pull you down and make you depressed too unless you respond in the opposite spirit.

View yourself as valuable — one for whom Christ died

Even if things go completely against us in the natural realm, provided we are children of God, heaven will be our home when we depart this life and thus we will be winners in the long-term. We choose whether we view situations as obstacles, preventing us living victoriously for Jesus, or as challenges to overcome with His help; it's our decision whether we become bitter or better people through the events of life. The Israelites did not trust God; instead they looked at the size of the problem against them. Mentally they were defeated and the consequence was they spent another 40 years in the desert until all those who had made and agreed with this decision died; God declared "I will do the very thing I heard you say" (Num 13:31, 14:20-33). The declarations we speak over ourselves (and others) are powerful, with the Bible even stating the power of life and death are in the power of our tongue (Prov 18:21).

A positive mental attitude coupled with faith in God looks for the good, positive and creative alternatives, giving courage, innovation and optimism with outgoing virtues. This stands in stark contrast to the devil's evil, negative, hopeless but powerful enslavement to a critical, fearful, demoralising, destructive and limiting attitude.

Which of the two options do I live by?

The Power of Our Declarations

We are instructed to deal with all negative emotions bringing them into submission to Christ (2 Cor 10:5). It is essential to hear from God and do what He asks. By having a close vital relationship with God, and knowing the promises of His Word we do not have to confront the challenges of life as the underdog, but rather as a victor with Him (Jn 8:32,36; 1 Jn 3:8). The 10 commandments state "Do not…, Do not…" yet these seeming negatives are given for our benefit if we follow their advice; they will protect us and society, and so are overwhelmingly positive, as are the commands to love God with every part of our being, and our neighbour as ourselves (Ex 20:3-17; Mk 12:30-31).

Our words carry profound spiritual weight. Scripture reminds us that the power of life and death resides in the tongue (Prov 18:21), and what we declare over ourselves shapes the trajectory of our faith. When we speak words of doubt, fear and defeat we align ourselves with the enemy's purposes; when we declare God's promises, we partner with His truth and open the door for His power to work in our circumstances (Mk 11:23).

We Attract What We Focus On

To a significant degree, we attract what we focus on. A negative focus shapes our expectations, decisions and attitudes in ways that produce negative outcomes — not because God wills it, but because what we fix our gaze upon becomes the framework through which we interpret every circumstance. Jesus taught this principle: "According to your faith let it be done to you" (Mt 9:29).

What occupies your mind will eventually occupy your life

The Israelites illustrate this powerfully. Ten of the twelve spies focused on the giants; only Joshua and Caleb focused on God's promise. The majority's negative focus became a self-fulfilling prophecy — God declared, "I will do the very thing I heard you say" (Num 14:28). Our focus is not passive observation; it is an active spiritual compass that aligns us with either God's purposes or the enemy's narrative.

When we deliberately set our minds on God's goodness and promises, we open our lives to His transforming power (Rom 12:2; Col 3:2). This is not denial of reality — it is a faith-filled choice to see through the lens of God's truth rather than fear. David, facing Goliath, did not deny the giant's existence; he simply refused to make it his focus, choosing instead the greatness of the God who had delivered him before (1 Sam 17:37). The result was victory. As Proverbs declares, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he" (Prov 23:7).

Guarding the Heart and Rejoicing in God

As the mind (or heart) is the control centre of our whole being it is essential to guard this from negative thoughts and words by thinking about what is good, upright, uplifting, positive and true (Prov 4:23; Phil 4:8). The Bible says, rejoice in God in spite of setbacks, because "If God be for us who can be against us?" (Job 1:21; Hab 3:17-18; Rom 8:31). "What you [and Satan] meant for evil, God worked for good" (Gen 50:20). In fact, all things work together for our good if we love God and co-operate with Him (Rom 8:28). We don't know what the future holds but we know who holds the future and so we should be thankful in all situations, realising God is in control (1 Thes 5:18).

God works all things for the good of those who love Him

Reflection and Application:

Examine whether your self-talk reflects God's truth or reinforces defeat and doubt.
Choose to speak declarations of faith over your circumstances rather than complaints (Prov 18:21).
Guard your heart by filling your mind with what is good, upright and true (Phil 4:8).
Rejoice in God regardless of setbacks, trusting that He works all things for your good (Rom 8:28).