G.M. Sunshine Devotionals

The best way to deal with negative thoughts is to understand, identify, and shift.

Understand that there are a variety of reasons why these thoughts came to mind. There are so many factors that influence our thoughts that are facilitated by our literal senses (what we hear, see, touch, taste, and smell). We are walking triggers and products of our environment. And this computer of a brain we have, sometimes randomly throws random thoughts together that can seem far left or way too negative or inappropriate. Give yourself a break and don’t take those thoughts so personally. You are human. Thoughts happen.

Identify if the thoughts you’re having are random, legitimate, reasonable, reliable, or purposeful. Would it hurt you or help you? Will it damage, substantiate, or elevate everything you’ve worked so hard to build? Is it based off of facts or past hurt or trauma? Is it too embarrassing to even mention? Is it purposeful or real emotional feelings that is a reasonable response to an active, unresolved, or pending situation? Is it thoughts of a vision or future that you’re not willing to accept? Is it a random culmination of craziness that appall you or even arouse you?

Shift your thoughts. Replace them with other thoughts. Think of other things that look and feel more like who you are. Purposefully dismiss the thoughts you don’t want to entertain and think of ones you do.

We are all human. Thoughts will consistently or at random – come, go, haunt, justify, uplift, and even demean the feelings that you have about yourself and others. You are in control. Even if the thought is repetitive, you don’t have to act on negative thoughts that are not a reflection of who you are or thoughts that make you feel less than, or even unclean.

Most of all! If you feel like you need to talk to someone about your thought patterns, reach out to a trusted advisor, mentor, or a counselor/therapist. Don’t be naive to the fact that thoughts ruin friendships and families. People have a superpower and its called memory. Memory reactivates thoughts and sometimes your friends and family can’t look past them, and those thoughts become like a permanent stain that not even bleach can remove.

Do what it takes to sought out what goes on in your head. Be cautious, wise, and discerning. Because after all – you can’t escape from yourself.

Be well,

G.M.