God Loves You. Resist Negative Thoughts

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. Jn 10:10 NKJV

Many negative and discouraging thoughts that torment us come from the enemy, known in the Bible as the devil.

• Your sickness must come from God.

• God no longer heals as in the Bible.

• Only some are chosen by God for salvation.

• If you are chosen for eternal life, you should be thankful, but you may also be chosen for the suffering of sickness and not for the grace of healing.

But God is very different. He sent his eternal Son Jesus into the world to do us good, not to torment us.

And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. Acts 10:38 NLT

In the New Testament, Jesus fulfilled what God had clearly said in the Old Testament.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jer 29:11 NKJV

Our thoughts can be darkened by trials, but God understands our weak and flawed nature. Throughout the Bible you can read that God loves you and wants to bless you, not afflict you.

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. Jas 1:16–17 NIV

God loves you dearly and tenderly. He wants to help you and bless you. You do not have to be afraid of God.

Overcoming Bad Thoughts and Feelings

 You try to focus your thoughts on God, to pray with reverence and love, but you are constantly distracted by negative thoughts. You want to love God, but in your own eyes you are a failure.

You force yourself to praise God, to read the Bible more, perhaps to fast, but it often doesn't help.

What is wrong? What is holding you back?

• Financial worries?

• Unworthy sexual thoughts?

• Anger at difficult neighbours or relatives?

• Ashamed of your many shortcomings and misdemeanours?

• Anger about abuse?

Perhaps you're building on the wrong foundation.

You are not saved because your repentance and reverence are deep.

The foundation of your salvation is your redemption through the death of God's Son on the cross for you.
God redeemed you from sin and shame through the sacrifice of His Son.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Jn 3:16–17 NIV

When we feel shaky, we need to look to our foundation, God's saving love.

Because Jesus died for you, you can come to Jesus as a broken person who needs understanding, like a troubled soul sharing your feelings with a good therapist who is not judging you.

You can tell God how you feel and ask him to help you to untie the knots in your life.

‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ Jer 33:3 NIV