"Stinking Thinking"

Finally, brothers [and sisters], whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you" (Philippians 4:8-9)

In our fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in negative thought patterns, often referred to as "stinking thinking."* These thoughts can cloud your judgment, affect your mood, and ultimately hinder your spiritual growth. Negative thinking can arise from viewing situations in all-or-nothing, "either/or" terms, without recognizing any gray areas or middle ground; focusing solely on the negative aspects of a situation while ignoring the positive; minimizing positive experiences; making negative assumptions about people or conditions without evidence; expecting the worst possible outcome of any situation; believing negative emotions reflect reality; using "should," "must," or "ought to" statements to impose unrealistic expectations on yourself or others; attaching negative labels to yourself or others based on a single event; blaming yourself for events outside your control; and believing this is the way you are and that God can't transform you.

The above-quoted verses from Philippians, and other passages from Scripture, offer timeless wisdom to combat these negative thoughts and provide a powerful blueprint for cultivating a positive and godly mindset. These principles encourage you to focus your mind on positive and virtuous thoughts, which can lead to a transformation of your mind and heart to become aligned with the mind of Christ. Here are some ways to help you apply these principles to your life:

Trust in God: God, who loves you unconditionally, has plans for your welfare and not to harm you, offering you a future with hope and abundant life. Trusting in God's promises and casting all of your anxieties on God can help you to alleviate negative thinking and provide you with God's peace (See Matthew 6:25-34; John 3:16, 10:10b, 14:27, 15:13; 1 Peter 5:7; Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 23:1-6, 100:5; Proverbs 3:5-6).

Pray for Guidance: Prayer is powerful. Ask God to help you overcome negative thoughts and to fill your mind with God's truth, peace, and understanding ( See John 14:6, 16:13; James 1:5; Revelation 3:20)

Meditate on Scripture: Spend time reading and meditating on God's Word. Scripture has the power to renew your mind and transform your thinking. Regular reading and meditating on Scripture helps you to fill your hearts and minds with God's truth and peace. Be vigilant in identifying and rejecting falsehoods and negative thoughts that contradict God's Word (See Matthew 4:4; John 16:33; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3, 119:97).

Pay Attention to your thoughts: Recognize when you are engaging in negative or stinking thinking. Pay attention to your inner dialogue and identify any negative patterns (See Romans 8:6; Ephesians 4:22-24).

Renew Your Mind: Seek to renew and transform your mind, focusing on positive, uplifting thoughts and rejecting negative ones. (See Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23).

Practice Gratitude: Regularly reflect on the blessings in your life. Gratitude shifts your focus from what you lack to what you have, fostering a positive mindset (See 1 Corinthians 10:31; Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Psalm 9:1, 107:21, 118:24; 1 Chronicles 16:34).

Surround Yourself with Positivity: Engage with people, media, and activities that uplift and inspire you. Avoid sources of negativity that can drag you down. (See Matthew 7:17-18; Luke 1:37; Proverbs 4:14-15, 12:25, 13:20, 15:13).

Appreciate All of Creation: Take time to appreciate and enjoy the goodness and beauty of God's creation, which can uplift your spirit and draw you closer to God (See Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11; Genesis 1:31; Psalm 8:3-4, 104:24-25, 145:5-7; Job 12:7-10).

Protect your heart and mind: Protect your heart and mind from impure influences by being mindful of what you watch, read, listen to, and engage with. Aim to live a life that is holy and pleasing to God, avoiding attachment to any life-draining temptations, thoughts, behaviors, and activities. (See Matthew 5:29-30; John 17:17; Romans 13:14; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Peter 3:11; Proverbs 4:23).

Celebrate Goodness: Recognize, celebrate, and praise God for the good qualities, character, and actions of yourself and others in the world, fostering a positive and uplifting outlook and environment (See Hebrews 6:10; Romans 12:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Philippeans 2:4; James 1:17; Peter 4:8-10; Psalm 23:6).

Always remember, God loves you unconditionally. Trust in God's plan for you. Allow the Spirit of Christ to guide your thoughts, words, behaviors, and actions that lead you to become the best version of yourself.

* This article was prepared, in part, from information obtained through specific queries using CoPilot, February 7, 2025, as modified by the author.