Do You Suffer from Destructive Thinking?

Our thoughts determine our lifestyle. Many people suffer from destructive thinking. That’s why the Bible emphasized renewing the mind, the re-programming of our thinking very strongly. It is the primary way of recovery, healing, and a lifestyle filled with satisfaction and joy. The renewal of the mind has two components.

The Two Components of Renewing the Mind

„Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable? You are to me like a deceptive brook, like a spring that fails. Therefore this is what the Lord says “If you return (from this thinking), I will restore you that you may serve me; that you may serve me;” (Jeremiah 15:18-19)

The first component focuses on identifying and destroying the patterns of destructive thinking. The second component involves replacing the lies with the truth. Thus, we can develop a life-asserting mindset. This is a mindset in harmony with the spiritual reality shown in God’s Word. What is the process of forming destructive thinking? And what characteristics does such thinking have?

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Main Indicators of Destructive Thinking

The most important thing about a false, destructive way of thinking is that it deviates and distorts the reality shown in God’s Word. It distorts the truth about ourselves, God, others,  and the world. In other words, it is a kind of distorted perception of reality. Like a distorted filter through which we look at everything and make choices and decisions.

As a result of destructive thinking, people can develop the following problems:

• Permanently recurring episodes of depression, discouragement, hopelessness, and anxiety
• Feeling of inferiority, and being a failure, being not enough
• Deteriorated, dysfunctional relationships
• Inability to take responsibility
• Blocked goals
• Etc.

The Origin of Destructive Thinking

The entrance door of destructive thinking is almost always a traumatic experience. One of the definitions of psychological trauma is: “harm to man’s mental health as a result of the intense impact of unfavorable environmental factors or severely emotional, stressful effects of others on his psyche.”

For example, experienced оr inflicted violence and misuse (psychological, verbal, physical), rejection, humiliation. Or any kind of heavy or sudden loss of things and people we value. For example, loved ones, job, health, fertility, etc.

Particularly “fruitful” are traumas in the family, those with high intensity and/or duration. These are traumas and wounds we have not processed. The trauma that is not properly healed is an open door for drawing wrong conclusions based on one’s own experiences.  In its turn, it develops into a fixed distortion of reality and misconceptions.

Once rooted, false thinking and beliefs begin to bear fruit, such as bitterness, guilt, aggression, and depression. This leads to a lasting, destructive change in thinking and a defensive way of living. As a result, a person is blocked from being himself and achieving goals, from realizing one’s potential. The result of a mindset, woven by a multitude of deeply rooted misconceptions, is separation from the true self. This usually manifests in diseases of the soul and body.

Examples of Such False Beliefs:

• Regarding God – we think He can not be trusted. We view Him as a cruel judge, unjust, a distant observer. We identify God directly or indirectly as the cause of the trauma, or the one, who has not prevented it. The book of Job is a brilliant illustration.
• Regarding ourselves – a complex of inferiority and self-perception as a victim. Identification with the trauma becomes determinant for the identity.
• Regarding others – we think they should not be allowed too close. We feel contempt, mistrust, isolation, inability to share, etc. We see others again as the cause or possible cause of hurt and pain.
• The world – we see it as a bad place to live without a future and hope. Source of suffering and problems.

In addition, any subsequent trauma reinforces the destructive mindset. And in its turn, it defines and programs the way we live. So it is not easy to break this cycle.

However, there is a way out and hope. In the next post, we will look at the way out God points to and guides us along.

More Encouragement for You

If you need additional resources and encouragement to help you renew your mind, I highly recommend these books. Check them out.

Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings by Hadassah Treu

Trusting God in All the Things: 90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Every Day by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk

Transforming Your Thought Life by Sarah Geringer

Numbering Our Days:  Combating Anxiety in the Power of Small Intentional Moments by Nichole J. Suvar

Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life by Denise Dubois Pass and Michelle Nietert

Life Can Be Good Again by Lisa Appelo

It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lisa Terkeurst

Hope When Life Unravels: Finding God When It Hurts by Adam Dooley

Restoration Year – a 365-Day Devotional by John Eldredge

The Garden Within by Dr. Anita Phillips

Hope for the Hard Days by Sarah Geringer

Lean into Grace by Stacey Pardoe

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Your Turn

Do you struggle with some of the false beliefs mentioned in this post? Come and share your thoughts in the comments!

The trauma that is not properly healed is an open door for drawing wrong conclusions based on our own experiences and not on the truth of God's Word. #healing #mentalhealth #spiritualgrowth Share on X

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