After grabbing a cough drop for a scratchy throat, I was about to put the wrapper in a waste bin. That’s when I noticed tiny words printed on it. Not just one word—I counted five short sentences. Curious, I paused and took a closer look.
The popular brand of cough drops I was using advertised “A PEP TALK IN EVERY DROP” right on the wrapper. Two of the sentences stood out to me: You’ve survived tougher. Nothing you can’t handle.
Next thing I knew, I had a smile on my face and I was actually feeling better. How did that happen? As I read those five short sentences, my attention had shifted. I wasn’t focused on the scratchy throat anymore. I was focused on words that offered encouragement instead. And that made me wonder—if five little statements of pep could help me focus on something other than how horrible I was feeling, what could greater truths do?
What about the truths of God’s Word? Can they help us get out of a funk or fog, out of pressure, worry, or whatever mental ramblings fill our minds instead of peace? The answer is yes!
So, where do we start? We start with something like that wrapper. We make a swap. By that, I mean we purposefully replace unhelpful or negative thoughts with positive ones. We swap lies for truth. We can do this by building a toolbox for our brain. This is a collection of truths from God’s Word we can reach for whenever we need them.
What do we want in our minds?
When it comes to our thoughts, it helps to be intentional. Take a moment and ask yourself—what do you want filling your mind? Is it peace? Confidence? Quiet? Calm? Relief? Comfort?
Try putting it into words: I want __________ in my mind. I want my mind to be _____________. God’s Word can help us understand what truly belongs there.
Isaiah 26:3:
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Philippians 4:8:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Ephesians 6:10:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Now that we know what we want to hold in our minds, it’s time to start building our toolbox. God’s Word gives us specific truths we can put on in our minds. These will help us swap out the thoughts that we don’t want with the thoughts that we do want.
Erase Fear
When fear starts to crowd our thoughts and steal our peace, these truths can help erase it.
II Timothy 1:7:
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Isaiah 41:10:
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Shake Off Sadness
When sadness weighs heavy or our hearts feel broken, God’s Word reminds us that we are not alone and we are heard.
Psalm 34:17,18:
The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
II Corinthians 1:3,4:
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Quiet the Jitters
When anxiety and worry make our thoughts race, these verses offer calm and reassurance.
Matthew 6:34:
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself….
Philippians 4:6,7:
Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Let Go of Anger
When we feel like we want to lash out in anger, God shows us a better way forward.
Proverbs 16:32:
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
James 1:19,20:
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
What will you swap out?
Remembering God’s Word can help us swap fear for peace, worry for trust, and negativity for truth. Build a toolbox for your brain and say good-bye to negative thoughts, replacing them with positive ones. Grab the truths of God’s Word and don’t let them go.
To learn more about mental wellness, give a listen to our podcast Lighting the Way Today, episodes 07 and 08, “Mental Health” and “How Should I Feel about My Feelings?”