Negative voices in your head

[frater_domus]

Sometimes, especially under stress, my self-confidence makes a nose dive right into Satan's wine-cellar. Being a person that is overly focused on tasks and duty, I can't really shut down, relax and do something that makes me happy. As such, negative voices keep building. I lose hope that I will ever pass those mid-terms, that I'll ever have a chance with that one girl, I start doubting that I am evern worth a second glance. Really, there are times where I get stuck in that whirlpool of negativity and become a bit of mess on the inside. Funnily enough, I often receive praise for a great many things. I do not like accepting them though, in fear of my own pride. Still, this shows that most of those thoughts are nothing but my own imagination. The adverse effects are real enough though... Sometimes, I even lose sight of God.

My personal theory is that those negative mood swings are caused by me burning out relative quickly, being rather devoid of positive emotions and no capability of relaxation. Determination and a sense of duty towards God is what drives me forward. That's great, but hardly balanced or healthy. God made us to experience joy in Him and in His creation for us.

Do you guys have any advice in dealing with this? Especially for a guy who often rides the negativity spiral and has loads of trouble breaking it.

Thanks

 

[royal priest]

Still, this shows that most of those thoughts are nothing but my own imagination.

Philippians 4:6-8
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

 

[Brightmoon]

Wow sounds like you get depressed. I’d talk to your doctor and make sure your nutrition is adequate for your body and that your hormones aren’t out of whack . I’d also try yoga to destress

 

[AnglicanPeace]

I would pray constantly, all day to replace the negative thoughts (thought replacement).

 

[sunshineforJesus]

I struggle with negative thoughts also and try my best to encourage myself in the Lord.

 

[longwait]

Our thinking vs God's promises.

“It’s impossible”
All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

“I’m too tired”
I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

“Nobody really loves me”
I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)

“I can’t go on”
My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

“I can’t figure things out”
I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)

“I can’t do it”
You can do all things (Phillipians 4:13)

“I’m not able”
I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

“It’s not worth it”
It will be worth it (Romans 8:28)

“I can’t forgive myself”
I forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

“I can’t manage”
I will supply all your needs (Phillipians 4:19)

“I’m afraid”
I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)

“I’m always worried and frustrated”
Cast all your cares on Me (I Peter 5:7)

“I don’t have enough faith”
I’ve given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)

“I’m not smart enough”
I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

“I feel all alone”
I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

 

[Melody Suttles]

Sometimes, especially under stress, my self-confidence makes a nose dive right into Satan's wine-cellar. Being a person that is overly focused on tasks and duty, I can't really shut down, relax and do something that makes me happy. As such, negative voices keep building. I lose hope that I will ever pass those mid-terms, that I'll ever have a chance with that one girl, I start doubting that I am evern worth a second glance. Really, there are times where I get stuck in that whirlpool of negativity and become a bit of mess on the inside. Funnily enough, I often receive praise for a great many things. I do not like accepting them though, in fear of my own pride. Still, this shows that most of those thoughts are nothing but my own imagination. The adverse effects are real enough though... Sometimes, I even lose sight of God.

My personal theory is that those negative mood swings are caused by me burning out relative quickly, being rather devoid of positive emotions and no capability of relaxation. Determination and a sense of duty towards God is what drives me forward. That's great, but hardly balanced or healthy. God made us to experience joy in Him and in His creation for us.

Do you guys have any advice in dealing with this? Especially for a guy who often rides the negativity spiral and has loads of trouble breaking it.

Thanks

Hi Frater, very nice to meet you.
I had the same problem for most of my life until God showed me the truth about what was really happening with my mind and ultimately transformed my life.

Just say I was nose-diving like you more often than I knew. Anxiety, worry, nervousness etc had been a struggle for me most of my life.

My caveat should be that I am aware there are many people suffering with legitimate mental illness. But I'm speaking for myself and what was really going on with me.

I thank God for being so direct with me. Then the Lord guided me through scripture and some study of scripture and showed me a simple formula that would; with my effort at doing my part, defeat what had been defeating me.

He told me to start trying to catch myself having negative, anxiety-ridden thoughts as soon as I possibly could.
Then as soon as I was able to catch it happening, I was to stop everything I was doing and thinking; RESIST those thoughts; draw my thoughts toward the Lord and keep them on Him as long as it took until the feeling of anxiety (the spirit of fear) had gone.

Simple simple simple.
But really hard at first to even remember to catch myself nose-diving. Days would go by and I would suddenly remember that I had forgot.
Then I started remembering and catching it more often. It was weeks before I was seeing that my efforts had started becoming a habit. I was catching it daily, then hourly... and after about a year I realized I was going weeks at a time without anxiety.
Eventually, my mind became renewed and reprogrammed. This began 9 years ago for me. I'm a transformed person. I now live 95% of my life in the best place of peace I've ever known. I hope this helps you as well.

Joyce Meyer wrote an amazing book called "The Battlefield of the Mind". Exceptional for understanding how the enemy works through fear to keep us from reaching the victories God already has laid out and ready for us.

"The spirit of fear's intentions are clear, no matter what kind of spirit of fear it may be. It intends to keep you from fulfilling the destiny that God has on your life; from living a joyful, spirit led existence where you give to others out of the overflow of love in your life. It will keep you awake with nightmares. It will keep you from leaving your home or overcoming past emotional and physical wounds." - pilotonline.com




2 Corinthians 10:5
We tear down arguments, and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you!

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Philippians 4:6-8
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

 

[mama2one]

I can't really shut down, relax )

our bodies need rest and too much stress is harmful


so please get some rest and take care of yourself!
you'll be at your best with rest

 

[Zoii]

I would no underestimate @Brightmoon 's advice. Daily exercise and a nutritious diet, low in fat and sugar are important factors in sound mental health. If things get too much I recommend a professional counsellor and journaling.