Winning the Battle Within: How to Overcome Negative Thoughts
Winning the Battle Within: How to Overcome Negative Thoughts
You know those days when your mind feels like it’s working against you? Negative thoughts start popping up out of nowhere — whispering lies like, “You’re not good enough,” or “Why even bother?” And before you know it, you’re stuck in a spiral of doubt, fear, and frustration.
But here’s the truth: Your mind doesn’t have to be a battlefield. You can win the battle within by learning to take control of those thoughts and focus on the truth. As I write in Who Am I?, “Freedom begins when you stop letting lies define you and start living from a place of truth.”
If you’re tired of letting negative thoughts steal your joy, keep reading. Let’s talk about how to fight back and take your mind to a healthier, stronger place.
1. Recognize the Lies
The first step in winning the battle of the mind is recognizing the lies you’re believing. Negative thoughts often disguise themselves as “truth,” but they’re just distorted stories we’ve accepted over time. Things like:
“I’ll never be good enough.”
“Everyone else has it together except me.”
“I’m just not capable of change.”
Sound familiar? These thoughts aren’t facts — they’re lies. And the more we entertain them, the more they hold us back.
Practical Step:
Start writing down the thoughts that run through your mind on a daily basis. When a negative one pops up, ask yourself, “Is this really true?” Challenge it. Look for evidence to the contrary, because chances are, the truth tells a very different story.
2. Replace Lies with Truth
Here’s where the real power comes in: you can replace the lies with truth. God’s Word is full of truths about who you are, and those truths have the power to transform your thinking.
Lie: “I’m not good enough.”
Truth: “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14)Lie: “I’ll always fail.”
Truth: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)Lie: “I’m alone in this.”
Truth: “God will never leave me or forsake me.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
In Who Am I?, I share this truth: “The lies we believe lose their power when we confront them with God’s promises.” Start filling your mind with these promises. Write them on sticky notes, say them out loud, or read them first thing in the morning. The more you focus on truth, the less room there is for lies.
3. Guard What You Let In
You’ve probably heard the saying, “What you feed grows.” The same is true for your thoughts. If you’re constantly feeding your mind negativity — scrolling through comparison-filled social media feeds, bingeing on bad news, or surrounding yourself with critical voices — it’s no wonder negative thoughts are thriving.
Instead, guard what you let in:
Spend time with people who lift you up, not tear you down.
Limit media that leaves you feeling discouraged or defeated.
Fill your mind with uplifting content — books, podcasts, or worship music.
Practical Step:
Ask yourself, “Is what I’m feeding my mind helping me or hurting me?” Choose what builds you up.
4. Focus on What You Can Control
A lot of our negative thoughts come from worrying about things we can’t control — what other people think, what might happen tomorrow, or mistakes from the past. But here’s the thing: You can’t control everything, and you don’t need to.
What can you control? Your mindset. Your response. Your focus.
Philippians 4:8 says, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” In other words, focus on what’s good, even when life feels messy. Jesus’ very words in John 14:1 says, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” When Jesus says, “Don’t let,” He is making a statement that we have a choice on whether we will be consumed with anxiety of our lies and stress or to lean into our trust in God. Your thoughts and circumstances do not have the power to control your mind. It is exactly what I said in Who Am I?, “You may not control what happens to you, but you can always choose how you respond.”
5. Lean Into Faith
Here’s the truth that changes everything: You don’t have to fight this battle alone. God is with you, ready to give you strength, clarity, and peace when your mind feels chaotic.
Lean into prayer, scripture, and time with God. Ask Him to help you take control of your thoughts and replace lies with truth. When you feel overwhelmed, pause and remind yourself of who God is and who He says you are.
Scripture to Hold Onto:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
6. Take It One Step at a Time
Winning the battle of the mind doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process. Some days will feel easier than others, and that’s okay. What matters is that you keep showing up.
Replace one negative thought at a time.
Celebrate small wins.
Give yourself grace on the hard days.
Over time, those little steps will lead to big changes. As I write in Who Am I?, “Renewing your mind isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress. Every step forward matters.”
Negative thoughts don’t have to control you. By recognizing the lies, replacing them with truth, guarding what you let in, and leaning into faith, you can take control of your mind and start living with freedom and confidence.
My Challenge to you:
What’s one lie you’re ready to confront today? Write it down, replace it with truth, and share your thoughts in the comments. Let’s encourage one another to win this battle together!
