Overcoming Dark Thoughts

I woke up, the darkness of those very early hours still blanketing my room.  My spirit was disquieted.  Again.  For the third night in a row, I found myself awake—my mind racing, but in no particular direction, filled with subtle but persistent negative thoughts.

I thought of scripture, which often helps.  This time, though, they couldn’t quite turn off the whispers from the enemy of my soul.

God is not on your side.  Look at all the struggle in your life.  Even now, you have strife.  You are doomed to always have strife.  The Lord has left you.

I’ve fought these types of battles on and off for quite some time now.  Is it the anxiety from dealing with some very challenging situations?  Guilt over the times I get it wrong? Fear that somehow this will be the time Jesus won’t be faithful and instead hand me over?  Or some potent combination of all these things rolled into one big punch?  I don’t really know.

What I do know is that scripture usually chases these destructive lies from the enemy away.  It’s like flicking on a light in an infested room—the roaches scatter back to the shadows. 

But the enemy is crafty.  The stronger I’ve become in my faith walk with the Lord, the more those thoughts morph.  On this particular morning, it was with stories of King Saul, about how God had rejected him as king and removed His Spirit from Saul. 

Ahh, the thought pounced into my brain, perhaps that is why these outside challenges persist.  God has removed His Spirit from me. 

Oh yes, the enemy makes it very personal.

Sleep is somewhat fitful, but still there.  The Lord’s word, as a seal on my heart, sets my worried mind at ease (Song of Songs 8:6).  Yet when morning finally dawns, I’m tired.  It’s like I feel the weight of the battle I’ve been through. 

I jump into my bible study, which helps.  This corner, however, has yet to be turned.

So I came here.  Here to write to you, Lord.  Here to pray and to ask you to show me what is true, because right now I need you. 

All I can seemingly hear in my head, like soft background noise that can’t quite be escaped, is how I’m a bad friend, a faulty wife, a failing mother, an ineffective child of the King.

I simply turn and there it is—the scripture I have hanging on my wall.  Its words, clear and unwavering, seem to leap off the page, soothing my weary soul like a balm on irritated skin. 

“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you.  Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you” (Psalm 143:8 NLT).

I feel the weight begin to lift, the true light of my Creator’s love slowly seeping into my soul.  I open my bible to Psalm 143 and read the whole thing, my eyes misting as the truth sweeps away the gossamer cobwebs of the carefully crafted lies the enemy tried to arrange in my head.

Go, my child.  Read the truth, the Lord seems to whisper.

So I open my scripture box, and read dozens and dozens of scriptures we’ve carefully collected together.  Verses on having confidence before the Lord, about the gift of His constant presence.  I read about grace, about God’s love, and about trust.  I feel the last of the darkness wash away in the light of His Truth.

I grab one specific scripture from my box-one to carry around with me today: “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord; trust him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun” (Psalm 37:4-6). 

My heart’s desire is to walk with Jesus, to trust in the many good things He has brought and is bringing my way.  To quit resisting His blessings, and to sit back and let the Lord’s sword of truth vindicate me and slay those thought demons. 

Yes, joy comes in the morning when I am trusting You. 

FOR FURTHER THOUGHT

Do you ever find yourself lost in a sea of negative thinking?  No matter how busy we make ourselves, how much we medicate, or how hard we work and do, the enemy works hard to devour each of us.  Praise God that His word is stronger!

God gives us very clear direction on overcoming dark thoughts.

1.     Replace the Lies with Truth:  While the enemy may twist scripture to hurt us, the Lord always uses scripture to set us free (“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free,” John 8:32). Some of the best effort we can put forth is in learning God’s truth about how much we are loved, how Jesus’ blood set us free from the chains of guilt and shame, and especially how faithfully the Lord is by our side, constantly fighting for us.  Make space in your week for this important work.  Roam through the Psalms.  Let His word encourage—put courage back into—you!

2.     Worship the Lord:  There is such power in praising the Creator of our souls!  Praise reminds us that God is always faithful.  It puts victory after victory before us to keep faith fresh.  Revelation 22:3-4 tells us that worship brings us face-to-face with God. 

3.     Refocus Your Thoughts:  The Bible has so much to say about where to focus our unruly thoughts and emotions. If you’re in a life season where negative thinking is a constant companion, this is even more important to study and internalize.  Start with verses like Philippians 4:7-9, Galatians 5:22-25, and Romans 12:1-2.  Carry scriptures in your car, your wallet or purse—wherever you are so you can fight back when your thoughts go south.  God’s word has power, and it will transform your thinking!

4.     Repeat!  Consistency, not perfection, is the key to growth.  Cycle through these practices often and watch the Lord move.

At the end of the day, never forget that you are valued and cherished so very, very much!  Paul’s prayer for us was simple: “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17-19). 

Would you join me in embracing the Lord’s truth each day?

PRAYER

Papa, how I need You! I can get so lost in my own thoughts and challenges sometimes, losing my way to You in the process. Thank you for your persistent, tenacious love that runs out to me, gently leading me back home. May I see Your loving hand reaching toward me and remember you are my Jehovah Shalom—my peace. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

ABOUT BARB LOWNSBURY

Barb is a speaker, author, and entrepreneur. She holds Bachelor's Degrees in International History and Education, as well as a Master’s Degree in Education. Barb has spoken at conferences and taught classes throughout the U.S. on topics including faith, relationships, leadership, and courage through trials. Her book, Using What’s Broken to Boldly Shine, is a powerful read on transformation through adversity. Her blog focuses on providing people with everyday encouragement and strength. Barb serves as the Executive Director for The Dented Fender Ministry and runs a successful real estate and development company. She and her husband currently reside in Dayton, Ohio.

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