5 Ways to Scripturally Combat Negative Emotions

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

The temptations from the enemy have not changed since mankind fell. He whispers through TV, radios, and electronics with headlines, debates, opinions, advertisements, and entertainment that compete for our attention with engraved invitations to participate in the banquet of worldly living.

Words can come from our own minds due to past experiences. Other people may say things that don’t intend harm, but we can take their conversations the wrong way and create assumptions that hurt our hearts.

How do we resist letting these thoughts grab our minds?

Paul wrote 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NKJV:

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

To take these thoughts captive, we exchange them for other food. We need to replace them with God’s thoughts and words. The only way we can do that is to have a steady diet of what He says rather than society’s menu. Philippians 4:8 tells us to only think about things that are good.

No matter what plagues our mind, we can find a solution in the Bible.

Here are 5 ways to use Scripture to combat negative emotions.

1. Thoughts of worthlessness – The Lord your God is with you; the mighty One will save you. He will rejoice over you. You will rest in his love; he will sing and be joyful about you. (Zephaniah 3:17 NCV)

2. Thoughts of lack –  God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. (Psalm 23:1-3 MSG)

3. Thoughts of past hurts and sins – He heals the wounds of every shattered heart. (Psalm 147:3 TPT)

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12 NKJV)

4. Thoughts of anxiety – Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. (Philippians 4:6-7 AMP)

5. Thoughts of envy – Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. (1 Corinthians 13:4 TPT)

God's love covers all. And when we meditate on how much He loves us, those depressing and fearful thoughts will vanish like the fog under the sun. We can take these verses along with others and place our own name in them as we apply the Lord's healing balm to our situations.

We can’t live in our identity in Christ unless we learn to think like our Savior does.

Join the conversation and share other Scriptures you use to take every thought captive.

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