10 Bible Verses for Negative Thoughts
Our thoughts have a powerful impact on our emotions, actions, and our general overall well-being.
Negative thoughts often hurt our spiritual growth and take away our joy.
However, the Bible offers us wisdom and guidance to help us reframe our negative thoughts.
We can actually teach our brains to align our thinking with God's truth.
It takes practice to rewire negative thinking patterns, but as a therapist for over 15 years, I know that it can be done!
In this blog, we will look at ten Bible verses for negative thoughts.
1) Bible Verse for Negative Thinking: Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
"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."
This verse reminds us to focus our thinking on what is good and worthy of praise rather than lies from the enemy.
By intentionally changing our thoughts to focus on the good things that God has in our lives, we can start to change our whole perspectives.
2) Bible Verse for Negative Thinking: Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you."
It is hard to keep our minds steadfast - it takes practice. But by keeping our minds of God and trusting in Him, we can find peace and security.
This verse encourages us to redirect our thinking towards God's and His ability to bring peace to any situation.
3) Bible Verse for Negative Thinking: Romans 8:28 (NIV)
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
When negative thoughts creep into your mind, use this verse to remind yourself that God is at work - working things for your good.
This verse helps us shift our perspectives from our current worry to God’s bigger plan. Trust Him - He will work this hard thing out too.
4) Bible Verse for Negative Thinking: Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
A lot of times our negative thinking comes from worry, anxiety, and doubting ourselves.
This verse reminds us that we are valued and worthy.
It helps us remember that God made us and knows us intimately. We can change our thoughts to trust in Him.
5) Bible Verse for Negative Thinking: 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
Wow, this one is so powerful.
We are directed to “take captive” every thought.
God knows that the enemy loves to speak lies to us - often times through our thoughts.
Let’s practice identifying when that is happening to stop the spiral.
Take that negative thought and align it with God’s truths. This will help you change perspectives - which will then change your emotions and even your behaviors.
6) Bible Verse for Negative Thinking: Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Our negative thoughts make us believe that we are incapable a lot of the time.
This verse reminds us that we can do hard things with Christ’s strength.
Use this verse to replace doubt with hope and strength.
7) Bible Verse for Negative Thinking: Psalm 34:8 (NIV)
"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."
Negative thinking patterns often distort our perception of God’s goodness.
This verse encourages us to start shifting our thoughts to God’s goodness.
We can take refuge and trust him when we are worried and our negative thinking gets the best of us.
8) Bible Verse for Negative Thinking: 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
This is one of my favorite verses.
God calls us to give him our anxieties because he loves us and takes care of us.
Picture yourself handing a box to the Lord with all of your worries and anxieties and then let them go.
You can also do this with a prayer journal by writing down all of the things that make you anxious and giving them to God.
9) Bible Verse for Negative Thinking: Proverbs 23:7 (NIV)
"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he."
This verse points out the power that our thoughts have to shape our lives.
If we are constantly stuck in negative thinking, our lives will feel pretty crummy.
Now is the time to practice reframing and replacing negative thoughts with God’s truth.
10) Bible Verse for Negative Thinking: Psalm 118:24 (NIV)
"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
This is hard to do when you are carrying anxiety, worry, and negative thoughts.
However, it’s always possible to change your perspective.
Stop what you are doing right now and list 10 things that you are grateful for (I’m in a warm house, I have clean water, My car started this morning, My kids are healthy, and on and on).
This little exercise can help you find the joy that is in your life, even when you are struggling.
Takeaways
These verses are not about being fake and “pretending” everything is okay. That’s not the answer.
What God is asking us to do is trust him, put our hope in him, and know that we don’t have to solve everything on our own.
There is power in our thinking and with God’s help, you can change your thinking patterns.
Memorize these verses, write them down, and repeat them to yourself. God is always near and he’s always offering us a way out of negative thinking.
I hope these verses helped to shift your perspective and gave you a little boost of hope and encouragement today.
With love and solidarity,
