Negative thinking is epidemic!
We even consider it normal.
But it affects our relationships, career and even our health.
It colours everything we see every day.
And it’s a very hard habit to quit.
But we can!
Steve Backlund, an associate pastor of the Bethel Church in Redding California has a unique solution to negative thinking.
In this video, Steve explains what God taught him about this destructive habit and how we can break free of it.
Just click on the video and change the way you think.
To live a transformed life you have to overcome negative thinking.
Now I want to hear from you
How have you been able to stop negative thinking? Just leave your comments in the box below.
Would you like to meet with me personally to discuss areas in your life where you feel stuck?
I am now able to take a very limited number of online or phone appointments. If you want help living a transformed life, just click here for more information.
I’ll talk to you next week,
Grant
Comments 24
I’ve been dealing with “I’m a screwup, incompetent & just can’t do anything right” which my coworkers have been gossiping about as I’ve caught them. So the last few months have been horrible & just last night, God showed me that this has been my expectations for a great portion of my life, so this video supports a portion of what I’m dealing with!! So now the prayers releasing judgements, fears, forgiveness to all & myself are going out now!! Will see about getting this book to work . . or should I say, give to God my negative stuff!!
Thank you & keep the videos going!
Cheryl
Hi Grant, this very timely. First because since my car accident 2 years ago, I truggle more than ever with negative thoughts. Secondly I used to fast during this time for 40 days and wanted to participate with other believers doing so now; however was,’t sure what to fast from or how. I like the idea of a negativity fast. In the video, Steve describes it very wEll. By the way, I’m already on your email list but may I request the 4 week assessment anyway? Thank you.
Hi Grant, I was thrilled to listen to this video this morning on doing a negativity fast. I am recovering from anxiety and have a real struggle with negative thoughts. Your video really supports my prayers this week to God regarding deliverance from negative thinking.
thank you and do keep the videos going!
Suzanne
Hi Grant! This is a very timely video! Thanks for posting it. I have been discovering that negativity begets more negativity. The more you think it the more you get back. Scripture is clear that you are what you put in your mind. If you put in negativity you will be negative. There are some people (of which I was one) who seem to enjoy living in the world of drama. And yet there are others who are thriving in the world of dreams. I have chosen to live in the world of DREAMS from this point on… believing in God’s Word that I am as Ephesians 1:3-8 says: I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”
and as Ephesians 2:10 I am God’s workmanship.
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
To be holy and blameless and to do good works means living in the dream of who we are meant to be not who we once were. Doing good works means relinquishing the power struggles that we hold onto and using our words and deeds to build others up in all ways, physically, mentally and spiritually.
Grant, this small clip on negative thinking is brilliant. I am doing a study on the “mind” and “heart” along the lines that “Whatsoever a man thinketh in his heart so is he.” And Rom 12:2 the one that Steve mentioned having our minds renewed.
Thanks so much. Alistair
I was praying this morning about going on a fast. I am not feeling well and did not want to fast just for physical reasons. The Lord told to take care of myself and he would do the rest. When I saw your video I knew that God was giving me something to think and pray on during my fast. Thanks janet
Here is someting I wrote awhile ago when I made a decision to let God heal me.
Broken and bleeding
You took me in
Battered and beaten
You loved me
Sad and sorry
Full of guilt
I called to you
In desperation
And you came
You came to heal
Not to steal
You came to make whole
Not to shatter
You came to me
Because I called
You came to me
Because I said yes
Yes to You
Yes to the Lord, I said yes
Yes to the Lord, I gave in
Yes to the Lord, I sold out
Grant, I am so encouraged that you are promoting this theme in your work. Steve’s inspired idea of a “negativity” fast is brilliant and I pray it catches on. This fits the theme of my own work on “non-judgment” because the two are tightly linked. May the Lord continue to bless you and your ministry Grant!
peace,
John
Thanks for all these great comments. I knew this topic would interest you. It’s a problem we all struggle with and usually feel defeated by. Now we have a practical solution we can work with. Share this video with your friends.
This is, as stated, one of the most difficult things to overcome. With all the negative opinions and views directed at us through most of our lives to overcome that attitude is a difficult thing. Thank you for pointing that out and every thing that is brought into the light can be offered to Jesus.
Hi Dr Grant, I never thought too much about negative thinking because this was the norm in my family. This week one of my friends in church told me that I was as negative as her husband. This really hurt because I did not think that I was negative.
This made me pull away from people at church in fear that they all new that. So I had to go to God for help and one of Psalm 142:3 ” Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”helps a lot. I also have notice my husband is speaking up negative statements maybe I will need to take a look at this book to stop passing things on. I am thankful that I am not the only person who has this bad habit. It may take more than 21 days to change my bad thinking.
Thanks Mary
Mary, don’t be discouraged. It’s a long term battle for most of us. The problem is epidemic. Join the crowd!
Grant,
I read “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp recently, and have been inspired by that book to keep a grateful journal in which I daily record God’s blessings in my life. They don’t have to be big things, just the little ways I see God’s love around me every day. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 17 and have been stable on my medication, but really struggle with anxiety and negative thoughts at times. This grateful journal has really helped me. And when I’m having negative thoughts, I can look back at previous entries and smile at all of the ways God has blessed me. My husband says he can see a difference in me when I forget to write in my journal! Positivity is something that has to be practiced daily. I love the idea of a 40 day negativity fast. They say it takes roughly a month to form a habit and only 7 days to break one.
God Bless,
Jenna
Hi Grant,
I guess I’ve been doing this fast for a while now. When negative thoughts come I speak praises to God and the thoughts vanish. I praise Him for who He is, the things He’s done and what He has promised. I also have His promises on my fridge and spend time singing to Him. The last thing I do each day as I brush my teeth is read His word. It came to me just the other day, that after years of doing this, the stains are gone from my teeth. Most of them shine like pearls, and this habbit has had a simillar effect on my mind, heart and soul.
Thanks be to God.
Alcide
Those are great ideas to combat negative thinking. Thanks for sharing them.
Hey Doc,
Such a word in season! I have been “working” on this exact principal for a few weeks now. It is more difficult than it sounds, so ingrained is the tendency towards defeatism. I am rebuking the negative thoughts as they arise, and speaking OUT the word of God. I am claiming the promises of our King, and with shaking legs trying to stand on them. Thanks for this, I even took notes. A rarity. LOL
Taking notes! Glad you found it helpful.
Yes it’s hard work to change such a deeply ingrained habit. But with God’s help you can do it. Try laughing at the negative thoughts. I describe that here: https://drgrantmullen.com/2011/03/do-you-laugh-enough/
I am wondering how to do something like this in more detail. When it seems life collapses on you how do you not think negative especially when others reinforce the negative ideas in your mind?
Excellent point. There’s no doubt that it’s a battle to keep from falling back into negativity. You have to keep reminding yourself to continuously give each negative thought to Jesus for an exchange for his thoughts of hope. It gets easier over time but Satan doesn’t give up easily.
Thank you for your web site. Please send prayers out for my family if possible. For some reason Satan is trying his best to devastate my family financially and i unforgivably am weakening and would appreciate some prayer i cannot afford to purchase any materials at this time and love the fact that this web site offers free information. With Much Love in Christ I send big BLESSINGS to your ministry!!!
Leslie…;0)
Glad you find the web site helpful Leslie.
May you feel God’s arms around you in this difficult time.
Hi,
I have read Igniting Faith in 40 days and it began me on a whole new journey to renew my mind and my heart. Its an amazing book! I love it.
I have been renewing my mind from negativity to Hope and expectation for good from a GOOD GOD, for several years and it can be done!! Doesn’t happen overnight, but be encouraged it does happen as you build New Positive beliefs and build your Hope Muscle.
What has helped me the most is doing Declarations Daily, of Who God says I AM and the GOOD He wants for me, for my family and all the circumstances of my life. I would do the Declarations and immediately the negativity and accompanying feelings and emotions would just abate! The more I did them, the more I believed them and more my emotions would too. Then I started to see some good things happening and that would increase my new positive heart beliefs. I rarely ever get depressed anymore and have been off anti-depressants for a year! Wow! GOD is soo good. But of course only come off any medication with your Doctors knowledge and guidance.
I am continuing my journey, as it is a journey of course and there is always more.
Blessings and I am very happy to be able to share this testimony.
This video blessed me a lot last January when we were doing a corporate fast with a few friends. When I saw this clip knew that this is what i had to do and i encouraged the other girls also to do the same. It was very difficult as i used to think negative a lot, but i / we managed.The outcome was a miracle for me with God coming through mightyly in a breakthrough. My last year was a year of testimonies and amazing things happening. Got married, made peace with family, restored relationships….
So I’m a bit reluctant to share this now, but by the end of last year I somehow dried out and self condemnation and guilt crept back on me. I know its because i always compare myself with others, and I don’t value myself and my abilities.I have worked most of my life in jobs that i am over qualified for, as i never trusted myself really to do well. in the field that i studied in… I know God doesnt delight in us if we dont push, but give up.. So i dont want to give up, but somewhat i dont know how to push… Had councelling 2 years ago in my church, and it had amazing effects, but feel reluctant to go back…
Agi, if you feel the negative thoughts coming back then you need to speak to a counsellor again or with me at a coaching appointment. Don’t allow yourself to go backwards when you’ve already made so much progress.
Thank you Grant for your quick answer. I’ll do what you suggested.
Agi