July 08, 2024

Depressing Thinking Patterns

38 minutes

Depression is on the rise, especially in the youth of the USA. What is going on? And what can we do about it? In The Coddling of the American Mind, the authors identify three “common cognitive distortions” and the solution to all three is found in the Scriptures.

Mental Filtering: Focusing exclusively on the negative details and rejecting positive experiences, insisting they don’t count.

Magnification/Minimization: Exaggerating the importance of negative events or minimizing the importance of positive events.

Mind Reading: Assuming that others are thinking negatively about you without any real evidence.

Psalm 77:1-15. We can overcome mental filtering and magnification/minimization by remembering the goodness of God.

1 Corinthians 2:11. We can overcome mind reading by recognizing that we don’t know what others are thinking.

2 Corinthians 10:5. We can identify, analyze, and deal with all the thoughts we have.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-21. We are to test everything and hold onto the good.

1 Kings 19:1-8. Even great prophets, like Elijah, experienced depressing thinking patterns. Sometimes, we just need to take care of ourselves.

We can all tend our mental gardens. When we view our minds as a garden, we can weed (identify and cast away negative thoughts), remove pests (identify the sources behind the negative thinking patterns), water (put on Scripture), add fertilizer (take care of ourselves more holistically with exercise, etc.), and allow God to transform us as He promises to.

Finally, there is a time to be sad and process our emotions. But no matter what, something greater is coming. You are equipped for this challenge. You can tend the garden of your mind. You can provide an environment conducive to the growth and powerful transformation that God desires for your life!

The post Depressing Thinking Patterns first appeared on Living Hope.

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