Overcome Negative Thoughts With Biblical Truths About Yourself
Inadequacy and self-doubt are feelings we all face, often triggered by our own negative thoughts or damaging words from others. These emotions can disrupt our lives, impacting our relationships, our confidence, and our overall happiness. These struggles can stop us from enjoying life’s full potential (add something else). But there’s a powerful method to combat these feelings and build self-confidence, reduce stress, and improve mental health: autosuggestion, especially when paired with Scripture. This technique helps us stay motivated and resilient during challenging times and also empowers us to achieve our goals and maintain a positive mindset.
What is Autosuggestion?
Autosuggestion involves repeating positive statements to yourself, training your subconscious mind to believe them. This technique rewires your brain to focus on optimism and the good aspects about yourself, rather than where you fall short. By consistently affirming positive beliefs, you can strengthen the brain areas associated with positive thinking through neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new neural connections. This process can change how you feel and act, making autosuggestion an impactful tool for transforming your life. It empowers you to achieve your goals, stay motivated during challenging times, and maintain a positive mindset, ultimately leading to greater confidence, reduced stress, and improved mental health.
Combining Autosuggestion With Scripture
To maximize the benefits of autosuggestion, pair it with Bible verses that affirm God’s truth about who you are. For instance, repeating verses like “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14), “For I know the plans I have for you” (Jeremiah 29:11), and “The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1) can deeply reinforce your positive affirmations. These scriptural truths provide a powerful foundation, reminding you of your worth and potential as seen through God’s eyes.
Steps to Take:
- Choose a verse that resonates with you.
- Rewrite it on a notecard as a first-person statement that affirms something positive about your identity.
- Read your notecard and repeat this affirmation daily, especially during times of self-doubt or criticism.
- Repeat steps 1-3 until you have an affirmation for each day of the week.
Examples:
- Psalm 46:1 (NIV) – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
- Affirmation: “Whenever I’m in trouble, I remember that God is my safe place and my strength. He’s always right there with me.”
- Affirmation: “Whenever I’m in trouble, I remember that God is my safe place and my strength. He’s always right there with me.”
- Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
- Affirmation: “I stay strong and brave because I know God is always by my side, and He’s not going anywhere.”
- Affirmation: “I stay strong and brave because I know God is always by my side, and He’s not going anywhere.”
- Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV) – “The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.'”
- Affirmation: “God’s love for me is forever. He’s always kind, and that kindness isn’t going away.”
- Affirmation: “God’s love for me is forever. He’s always kind, and that kindness isn’t going away.”
- Isaiah 43:1 (NIV) – “But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.'”
- Affirmation: “I’m not afraid because God has got my back. He called me by my name—I’m His.”
- Affirmation: “I’m not afraid because God has got my back. He called me by my name—I’m His.”
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV) – “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
- Affirmation: “God is the ultimate source of comfort, helping me through tough times so that I can help others in their struggles with the same comfort He gives me.”
Regular practice of biblical autosuggestion can significantly alter your self-perception, helping you to see yourself as God sees you. This transformation doesn’t happen overnight, but with consistency, it leads to a deeper understanding of your godly worth. Over time, you’ll start to see how God’s truth can revolutionize your sense of self as you become the valued, loved, and capable individual God called you to be.
