CQQ #29: Taming Toxic Thoughts...?

Do you struggle to tame the flood in your mind?

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Thank you, Michelle Fruth, for inspiring this topic!

As someone who is all too familiar with intrusive thoughts (and had also written a poem/song long ago describing such a struggle, which you can also check out here), I can relate. The battle of the mind can indeed be just as (if not greater) than a number of hurdles we may face outside of our heads. Mental/emotional wellness is especially vital, yet often misunderstood or not taken as seriously as it should be, especially when compared to physical issues.

So how can we tame those unwanted thoughts?

Here are some things I had learned through my own experiences with unwanted thoughts:

1. Don't panic or react so strongly. I know, easier said than done for most people, but it's really true that it's necessary to remain as calm as possible in any stressful situation. Letting every instance induce a strong reaction will only lead to more stress.

2. The mind tends to hold onto thoughts and memories that we give significance to. Ignore the toxic thoughts and continue to go about your day as if they don't matter, because those thoughts are not your own. This method is a subtle form of desensitization, accepting that this is a typical thing in your life and that it's something you needn't stress over or pay any mind to. The less you stress about it, the less impact it will have.

3. A reason why some people become so distraught by their thoughts may be that such thoughts can lead to deep feelings of guilt, even questioning their own integrity or doubting their faith. I can assure you, the fact that you feel so repulsed by those toxic thoughts is evidence that said thoughts are not an accurate reflection of your heartfelt wishes or intentions.

4. Being tempted is not a sin. Christ Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness and was sinless.

5. God knows your heart and your struggles. Always remember this. He will not be repulsed or ashamed by your weaknesses. He is a loving merciful Father who wants to help you grow and overcome, not rub guilt in your face. If you've wholeheartedly accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, you are forgiven—past, present, and future. He will not be shocked by anything you do, and He will not leave or forsake you. He understands. Don't be afraid to pray and tell Him about everything you're going through.

6. Pray and spend time reading the bible. The next time those negative thoughts appear, remind yourself with scripture verses to counter those lies. The more you feed your mind Truth and good things, the easier it can get to dismissing those bad thoughts.

7. What you feed your mind does matter. Do your best to not constantly feed your mind negative things like destructive song lyrics or toxic words from toxic people. Reality check your relationships and consider whether or not certain people in your life are bad for your wellbeing. Even too much drama and bad news at once can hurt your head.

8. A positive distraction can help keep your mind from entertaining unwanted thoughts. Reading, listening to uplifting or soothing music, or other similar activities may give your mind a healthy distraction when you're trying to focus.

9. Unwanted thoughts can often surface when under too much stress. Too much work? Too much negativity, drama, and/or bad news? Too much time around people and not enough time to yourself? Whichever the case, you may need to take a break from overstimulation and things that overwork your brain (yes, even social media) to give your mind some time to breathe. Appreciate your alone time; there's no shame in giving yourself that needed rest and TLC, even if it means turning down an invitation.

10. Negative feelings of anger, fear, and even boredom can trigger unwanted thoughts. Good stress management goes a long way. What activities relax you? Art, reading, writing, meditating, relaxing music, breathing exercises, spending time with a pet, taking walks outside, watching nature...

11. Speaking of which, exercising in general. I know, it can be tough to get motivated sometimes. But a good workout makes your body release endorphins, which makes you feel good and reduce stress. Plus, working out during the day may help you sleep better at night (and I do know what it's like to lose sleep over unwanted thoughts racing through my head). So let your legs race instead.

12. Physical health can play a role in mental health as well. Hunger, malnourishment, headaches or other kinds of pain, and other stresses on your body can affect your mood and wellbeing, which may also trigger those negative thoughts. Don't neglect your needs for too long. If you need to, see a doctor to consider some options.

13. Sometimes your mind is overstimulated by all the stress and continues to run through and analyze all the events in your head. Or sometimes your brain just doesn't drop things so easily because it's trying so hard to remember, like a defense mechanism. Or perhaps there's some underlying issues being bottled up, or something that really upsetted you, or something you're worried about and just can't forget. Whichever the case, those thoughts need to go somewhere to give yourself some peace of mind. This is where journaling may come in handy. Write your thoughts down, even if they seem strange or insignificant to you. Don't worry about correct grammar/sentence structure or the "correctness" of your specific thoughts. Just get it out of your head and onto paper (or notepad/word document file, etc.). You can even crumble the paper up (or delete the file) later after you've moved on with your emotional dump, if that helps.

14. If you need to, talk to a qualified therapist, counselor, or mental health specialist. Or join a therapy support group. I haven't personally tried this before, but I knew someone who did, and they said it helped tremendously. The act of talking to those with similar struggles and knowing you're not alone can be a great encouragement.

15. Intrusive thoughts may be a symptom of an underlying medical issue such as OCD, PTSD, or other anxiety-related disorders. For a number of people, unwanted thoughts may be a "thorn in the flesh", a constant struggle one may have to deal with. Wherever you are on your journey, don't give up. The struggles of this life don't compare to the peace we'll have in the victory of Christ, our hope and promise of everlasting peace in paradise.

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Curious Questions to Consider:

Do you struggle with unwanted/toxic thoughts?

What bible verses help you deal with negative thoughts?

What other methods help you deal with unwanted thoughts? What encourages you?

Are any of the above points mentioned in this article helpful?

Would you like prayer? (Feel free to leave a prayer request.)

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Leave your thoughts in the comment section below. Feel free to share your own stories, experiences and insight in relation to the topic.

Be sure to be respectful and considerate of your word choice in regards to whatever details you choose to share. We're not here to gossip or backstab. Refrain from using specific names. Do not use this topic as an excuse to bash on those who may agree or disagree on certain views regarding mental health and unwanted thoughts. No flame wars. Please keep it clean and civil.

DISCLAIMER: For the sake of my own health and for your own good, please do not use this topic as an excuse to make me into your personal therapist. I am not a medical professional of any kind. This article is not written with the intent of replacing medical advice. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, call your local hotline number, or at the very least talk to someone you can really trust. Don't give up, ever. There is hope.


God bless and thanks for sharing!

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Author's Notes:

Credit goes to Michelle Fruth for inspiring this topic.

Cover image courtesy of Startup Stock Photos.

(Written on January 12, 2020.)

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