Are You Pessimistic? How to Overcome Negativity
Many people struggle with negativity or negative thinking. There is even a name for this sort of outlook, pessimism. However, the roots of negative thinking can stem from early life experiences, trauma, stress, discouragement, anxiety, spiritual battles, and other factors. Whatever the cause, negativity impacts an individual’s mental, spiritual, emotional, physical and relational well-being. Christian counseling can help those struggling with negativity improve their outlook to provide a more hopeful, truthful lens.
Roots of Negativity
The roots of negativity are complex. Internal and external factors contribute to negative thoughts and emotions. Childhoods can be filled with negative experiences, such as bullying, abuse, neglect, family conflict, or other trauma. Experiences in adulthood, including bouts of suffering, unmet expectations, harmful relationships, or chronic illness or stress, can change the way an adult views themselves, others, the world, and God. With easy access to news and connections through social media, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with discontent and fear. Internal factors, such as a genetic disposition towards certain mental health struggles or personality, can be a contribution. From a spiritual perspective, people battle the flesh, which can succumb to temptation, and face spiritual warfare in their everyday lives. Everyone’s experience is different to developing negative thinking. But what hope exists for those who find themselves stuck in a thought pattern of negativity?
The Trap of Negative Thoughts
Think about the old records or CDs. In order to play music, they would turn around and around. If left on, the CD or record player would continue to play music. Like a record or CD on repeat, negative thinking can run on a loop and trap people in a pattern of negative thinking. This occurs when a negative thought automatically leads to other negative thoughts. Soon, a person feels negative emotions connected to the negative thoughts. For some people, their thinking begins to “spiral”. As a person’s mind becomes increasingly familiar with negative thinking, the brain automatically shifts towards thoughts that fall within this framework of thinking. Similar to the CD or record that requires a person to actively stop the music, a person must make a change to change new thought patterns.
A Christian Faith Approach to Overcoming Negativity
In Christian counseling, scripture can provide an encouraging and truthful reminder about that mind. Romans 12:2 states, “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” This is an encouragement that people can and must take an active part in renewing their minds. There are several ways to go about doing this:
- Aligning a person’s mind with God’s word and promises can provide hope for an individual stuck in negative thinking.
- Identifying lies and replacing them with truth. All thoughts, particularly negative thoughts, are not truthful or reality-based. Because of this, it’s important to counter lies with the truth.
- Incorporating prayer individually or with others is a helpful practice of surrender and trust in God. Additionally, inviting God to provide peace, joy, and comfort can be nourishment to a weary individual.
- Finding support from trusted individuals who can encourage and provide a truthful perspective can allow the person struggling with a community.
- Practicing daily gratitude and thankfulness provides a counter and a fresh pattern of thinking for a person struggling with negative thoughts. This can be spiritual renewing and also create new brain pathways of hope and positivity.
- Engaging in moments of solitude and mindfulness can bring calm to a constant chatter of negative thoughts.
Consider Christian Counseling
A person may try all the recommended approaches and still struggle with negative thinking. When that’s the case, it’s time to consider working with a Christian counselor who can help an individual delve into deeper work and transformation. A Christian counselor may employ techniques such as talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR, or other models that can help an individual uncover deeper roots causing a person to be stuck in negative thinking.
At Sojourner Counseling, we offer Christian counseling in person and online in combination with other counseling techniques to help people with negative thinking. Contact our office today to get started on the road to healing and renewal!