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As promised in today’s Proverbs 31 devotion, leave a comment below sharing which one of these tips you are going to implement in your life, and enter to win a free book of your choice from my bookstore!
Keeping a check on my thought patterns and how they are affecting my psyche and outlook is something I learned to do years ago.
The reality is that when the situations of life don’t “feel” positive, it’s often hard to think positive. But fortunately, it’s not impossible.
Being a positive thinker doesn’t mean living with a Pollyanna / rose colored glasses mentality. It simply means choosing to intentionally look for the best in things, and find reasons to be positive, rather than intentionally or even inadvertently focusing on the negative aspects of people, life and situations.
We can’t control our circumstances, but we can always control our thoughts about them. And when we change the way we think, we in turn change the way feel and live. Proverbs 23:7 says “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (NKJV) Our thoughts determine who we are and how we live our life.
If you struggle with chronic negativity or pessimism, even if you have lots of reasons to justify that attitude, or if you feel like you’ve always been a negative person and think it’s impossible to change, might you consider incorporating a few of these tips into your everyday routines?
When you invite God to start helping you change the way you think, you’ll notice your perspective and outlook and the way you feel inside will begin changing too. A happier life with more peace, joy and happiness – despite the adversities of life – could be as close as one positive thought away.
1. Express gratitude. Ask God to help you live with an awareness of your blessings. Notice the little things that bring a flutter of joy to your heart – a butterfly, a streak of warm sunshine, the laughter of your child, a hug from a loved one. Try to focus on the things you have, rather than the things don’t have.
2. Look for beauty. Life can be ugly, and at times we get so caught up “seeing” the ugly, we neglect to notice the beauty around us. Take time to really look out the window as you drive today. Notice the blue sky, the green trees, the bunny hopping across the field. Smell the flowers, savor the aroma of dinner on the stove, and feel the softness of your baby’s hair. Beauty is all around us in a million different forms, if only we choose to not overlook it and miss out.
3. Don’t get caught in the comparison trap because doing so not only feeds your insecurities, but because comparison is the thief of joy. You are you, and God made you unique in every way; gifted with abilities, traits and talents that nobody else has. Rather than focusing on how you don’t feel you measure up in some way, most likely against some standard you were never meant to meet, focus on your positive attributes alone.
4. Don’t overthink problems. The more we overthink a problem – letting our imaginations run wild with worry and fear and stress – the bigger those problems become. Instead of thinking the worst, try to think the best. Instead of focusing on the negatives of a situation, try to think of some positives that might come out of it. If you’re to overthink be overly positive. A little too much optimism never hurt anyone.
5. Change the way you typically think by asking God to help you begin recognizing each negative thought that pops into your mind, reject that thought, and then think of a more positive true thought instead. Simply put, cultivate optimism in your patterns of thinking. Instead of seeing the glass half empty, intentionally tell yourself to see the glass half full. If you tend to think the worst when a problem arises, intentionally decide you are not going to do that, and try to think of the best case potential scenario instead. Making these practices a habit in your everyday life helps foster an amazing transformation in your brain and thought patterns.
6. Invite God to be a part of your day, your life and your mind makeover transformation. When we ask for His intervention in our hearts and minds, we open the door for Him to begin an work in us that we could never accomplish on our own. Through His strength and perseverance, we can overcome the pull towards negative thinking and retrain our minds to think optimistic, instead of pessimistic. After a few weeks of implementing practical thought control and intentional efforts to be positive, new habits will form are good for us and our lives!
Think positive, be positive, live positive.
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Tracie Miles is a bestselling author of books, a Christian Literary Agent and the Director of COMPEL Pro Writers Training at Proverbs 31 Ministries. She helps women grow stronger in their faith, pursue the life of purpose God designed them for and live a life of peace, joy and happiness despite their circumstances.
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Thank you for sharing today’s devotional. I needed these reminders today.
#3 – Comparison is the thief of joy. I was just talking about this with my niece the other day. going to pray on this one. Whether it comparing with others or comparing to what I expected or hoped for.
Struggling so bad. I needed to read this. Thank you so much.
Two things for me: gratitude and not over-thinking problems. Thank you for this helpful article.
Looking for beauty is something I’m really trying to cultivate and I’m trying to verbally express it, especially when I have my grandkids or great-nephew. Sharing God’s creation and all the beauty He has throughout our day is a habit I want to cultivate in them from the beginning of their lives.
I tend to overthink so that’s definitely an area I need to work on! I also like the idea of replacing a negative thought with a positive one.
I could use a lock screen of the first line of each of the six things to help me remember!
I’m a glass is half empty sort of girl so appreciated these tips today. Have recorded in my journal and taken a screen-shot. I can overthink problems and try to find solutions myself. Trusting God with the outcome can be hard. I’m learning to do this through prayer and surrender.
Good morning. Your beautiful/hard life mirrors ???? mine. Morning quiet time watching the ???? sun come up helps keep me in the present while I walk into the beautiful lit/happy/joyful rooms in my mind reminding me of God’s ever present unconditional ❤️ love for me.
Just what I needed today! I always enjoy your perspective! Would love to win your newest book.
I’m going to ask God to help me recognize when my mind starts peeking down a rabbit hole of negative thinking, so that I can change course and not dive into that hole. It’s amazing how one small thought can poison your mind if we allow it to grow without opposition.
I appreciate the reminder; thank you! ????
I’ve been stuck in a negative rut lately. This is exactly what I needed to read today. I definitely need to incorporate these things in my daily routine to change my attitude and perspective and get my thinking back on track. Thank you so much for this today!
I need to remember all of these things! looking for beauty is probably the easiest thing for me, but always need a reminder. Thank you so much for sharing your heart with so many!
I am going to focus on gratitude and also trusting that God really loves me (sometimes it’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling like He doesn’t).
I want to add: thank you for sharing your stories with us. You have helped me continue to walk through a very contentious divorce and co-parenting situation.
Not getting caught up in the comparisons trap! I am unique, I am fearfully and wonderfully made and God has intricately designed all of us. Thanks for #3…game changer for me
good Morning!!! thank you so much for this !! I saved this to my phone e to go back to when I feel the negative stuff creeping in. going to try to keep all your tips in mind and in practice!!!!
I am in s very dark place currently, so much so that no matter the room I’m in steals the happiness and soles it into untold darkness and death. I’m not old enough to to be on this dark place! Life on the other side seems virtually impossible to obtain. Physicall my 50, something body has begun shrinking over the past 1.5 – 2 years Tge degenerative disk disease and severe Ostioarithis spread throughout my limber spine causing wides spread damage throughout and on multiple levels.. This in turn is leading to complete hip failure on one side with not much hope for but anything but a replacement. Right not behind with, moderate to moderatly severe severe destructive changes leading to cloud my already emotional seperatio from a career filled with happiness turned in to, dark dismal and even debilitating depression no matter the situation im in. I have lost the ability to seek out others to boost my state of mind thus turning. My life into hate-filled evil to intrude every aspect of love and happiness ans hope for a better tommor.
Looking for beauty. When I am driving, I try to notice nature, thanking God for His world, what he has given us
I’m going to look for beauty and invite God to help with my mind transformation.
I need to ask God to help me with negativity..❤️
I needed to hear those words today. Thank you for sharing. I am really struggling in this season of my life. I want to implement each one into my life starting with gratitude. Seeing each day as a gift from God. I also want to replace each negative thought with a positive one
I so needed this today. The past 2 years have been difficult with health challenges for me and my husband. My husband always sees the negative first so it can be very hard to keep positive.
Good 2nd day of Spring!
We all praise and worship our King in a Variety of different ways…I was feeling defeated yesterday in my Spirit for an upcoming scan of my friends this Thursday.. could not find the words… I listened to a worship song “Spirit Breathe on Us” by Tasha Cobbs.
As I listened and was still…Jesus never fails..His Holy Spirit filled the room as well as my Heart…there is No Impossible with God☺️
This devotion truly spoke to me today, My grandmother always looked for the beauty in things and was such a wonderfully positive person and inspiration. When everyone else just saw a tree, she would pause to admire it, I am also an over thinker and love the idea of over thinking the positive rather than the negative.
Such great wisdom. I am going to focus on not overthinking my problems or worries. I also tend to compare myself to others too often. Thanks for the reminder that I am who God made me. For the past ten plus years a friend and I e-mail each other most every day listing praises to God. On days we don’t feel much like praising, we have to list ten. This is such an encouragement and changes my attitude much of the time. Even things we take for granted can be on that list like praising God for water and electricity.
Thank you Tracie for this timely devotion! I think this verse goes well with your lovely writing today.
Present Suffering and Future Glory
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
Romans 8:38-39
Thank you for these tips. I can definitely use all of them!
Today I will focus on NOT over thinking problems/situations. I tend to do this LOTS!
Have a blessed day!
Thank you for your encouraging words today. I’m reminded that God is in control and He deserves all of the praise and glory each and every day. I will put my trust in Him.
I am going to try #5…. Change the way I think by asking God to help replace each negative thought with a positive thought, and the discernment to see and recognize each and every negative thought!
I’m struggling with many negative thoughts, so I’m so thankful to have found this devotional. I’m going to invite God to intervene in my day, my life and in my thoughts, knowing He will help me to overcome these daily challenges. Replacing the truths of His Word with each negative thought will surely help me as well.
Don’t over think! This is one I need to work on. Thanks for the encouraging read!
This is golden and a great reminder-there is always, always something to be thankful for!
Loooking for beauty all around me is something I started to do.
And to let go and let God.
Thank you
Thank you for these reminders. As I compare and overthink things I need to keep my focus on Jesus. My divorce has been 5 years ago and when I think I’m moving forward, the devil dies his best to keep me down. Saving these to know I can have His strength with me and be positive!
“Invite God to be a part of your day, your life and your mind makeover transformation.”
This is the area I need to work on. I have trouble believing God still loves me even though I neglect Him. And I try to solve my problems on my own so I’m really needing to reconnect with Jesus so I can move forward.
I have a “prodigal”. It’s so easy to focus on the bad behaviors but I’ve found that if I focus on the good ones (and there are a lot!) I can deal with the rest a lot better. God keeps reminding me to be grateful! He’s got this!!❤️
I am asking God to be with me throughout my days to help me overcome the negative self-talk I tend to shower myself with.
seeing the beauty in everyday life is something I need to do more of. letting God speak to me in creation. seeing God in nature and people and relationships. keeping God in the forefront of my mind.
Oh I was going to list #1 Gratitude as my tool BUT OH #5 ! (Are you reading my journal? haha!)
It makes all the difference when we surrender our negative thoughts – I’m realizing it may take a few days before granted Peace BUT it is * ALL in Stopping/Confessing to God that it is Wrong – to get that SO Right, First!! Thank You Tracie ♡♡
Thank you so much!! I am going to ask God to help me turn my negative thoughts into positive ones!! I have so much to be grateful for!!
Oh I was going to list #1 Gratitude as my tool BUT OH #5 ! (Are you reading my journal? haha!)
It makes all the difference when we surrender our negative thoughts – I’m realizing it may take a few days before granted Peace BUT it is * ALL in Stopping/Confessing to God that it is Wrong – to get that SO Right, First!! Thank You Tracie ♡♡
This will keep me busy all day! ???? Will start with concentrating on the first two and work on completing all! Thank you!
Thank you for these reminders! I am struggling with my thoughts while I go through a divorce that I didn’t want. I have to remember to invite God in and recognize the negative thoughts are from the Devil.
Inviting God to be in my heart and mind to see the positive is what I need to implement in my life. I love all of these, though!
Tracie and everyone…as I sit here typing, I’m watching this sweet little pair of birds flying back and forth bringing bits and pieces of straw and twigs to our front door wreath to build their nest. They come back every year. I wonder if it’s the same pair or if it’s the babies that were born in last years nest. Rebirth…all things new…spring is here! What a beautiful reminder of God and all that He has created for us to enjoy! The little things we don’t normally see in our rushed, hurry up world. I’m so grateful that He put this before my eyes, as I spend my quiet time each morning. It reminds me to slow down, look around and take in all the blessings He has given us…and be grateful. Thank you Father! ????
Just WOW! This read this morning, Just yesterday and a few days before I asked God to help me be a better person in my thoughts towards people.How great it is that He all ready had you preparing my help.
Thank you for your wisdom prayers and writing this out on paper for me and everyone to read,great help.I plan to use them all each day, as a part of working on me from the inside out. Meet you on the porch with coffee.t.
Tracie and everyone…as I sit here typing, I’m watching this sweet little pair of birds flying back and forth bringing bits and pieces of straw and twigs to our front door wreath to build their nest. They come back every year. I wonder if it’s the same pair or if it’s the babies that were born in last years nest. Rebirth…all things new…spring is here! What a beautiful reminder of God and all that He has created for us to enjoy! The little things we don’t normally see in our rushed, hurry up world. I’m so grateful that He put this before my eyes, as I spend my quiet time each morning. It reminds me to slow down, look around and take in all the blessings He has given us…and be grateful. Thank you Father! ????????????????????
Tracie, Thank you for your honesty and wisdom! Life is hard these days, and the grief can be overwhelming, and I need to shift my focus on what God is doing now, not how adoption didn’t go the way we prayed. Thank you for this!!!
Taking notes of these six things in my journal! Definitely comparison! Will be reminding myself that I am “ fearfully and wonderfully “ made and stop feeling i am not good enough. But I also overthink problems and have frequent negative thoughts! Plan on working on one of these a week with God’s help. Truly needed to read this today.
I am going to meditate on proverbs 23:7!
I’m going to intentionally ask God to be a part of my day and ask for his help and all the areas where I struggle. I’m so thankful I came across this blog today! Very timely! I Jesus please the beauty and each day and the blessings. Jesus help me switch my thoughts away from the negative, overwhelming circumstances that I tend to fix my eyes on.
Thank you…that’s exactly what I needed to hear today.
Expressing gratitude is the easiest way to get the focus of the bad and onto God and the good He’s given me.
What a great reminder. I ask God all the time to help my thought life and to think on the positive things. Thanks for the giveaway
All of these are wonderful. I especially love #3….don’t get caught up in the comparison trap.
I am a little over 3 years post divorce after almost 33 years of marriage. I still struggle and my mind is more on my ex than it should be. Thank you for the reminder to take captive every thought. When I am not actively working on my thought life, I end up in a room of sadness and how come and that’s not fair. When I actively work on my thoughts, I clean up some of the rooms in my mind and they become joyful places where the Lord and I meet. Thank you for your ministry and walking with us on our journey to become Christ-centered and Christ filled.
Thank you for sharing your perspectives on healing! I am going to focus on asking God to guide me on a mind makeover transformation. I must learn how to retrain my thinking and not to open the doors of those dark rooms that are filled with negativity.
I have been divorced going on 4 years and I wish I could break through this cocoon I feel like I am living in. I have accepted it, but it still hurts. I ask god everyday to help me. I am going to try and be intentional about reading the bible everyday.
I like the reminder to stop overthinking. I like the idea of overthinking the positive! I’m gonna try!
I definitely needed the paragraph on comparison. I find myself doing this so often and without even thinking about it! God has been bringing to my mind a lot lately the need to let go of the habit of comparison. All of these are things I need in my life but that one jumped out at me yet again.
Thank you for this. I definitely need to work on overthinking.
I loved your suggestions. I will intentionally be grateful and notice God’s beautiful creations He has provided for us.
Invite God to be a part of my day 🙂
I think this most mornings while lying in bed, but as soon as I get up life takes over and God takes second place to getting through the day
And I get stuck in a loop of wanting God’s intervention, but not asking for it or allowing it to happen – then thinking I need to have God;s intervention to clear my mind to remember to ask for his intervention !
Which is foolish really as having God in my day would make the day easier, whatever happens and however I feel
Don’t compare myself and not over thinking; it’s the 2 things I struggle with right now!
Thank you for this reminder. Things have been kind of hard and hectic lately, I often find myself being very negative and angry. Thank you for the tips and the reminder that I can still choose what I thoughts I allow myself to have.
Don’t get caught in the comparison trap. It’s so easy to get caught looking at other’s bests when you feel inadequate. I’m going to focus on God and His goodness.
I am going to break the bondage of overthinking……OVERTHING NO MORE. Thank you for the great reminders.
Excellent suggestions. I will ask the Holy Spirit to keep me alert to any thoughts I should not entertain.
Seeing the beauty in God’s creation has always been calming and centering for me. The one thing I would like to learn is to not over think things, especially in a worrisome negative way.
Comparison is something I really struggle with
All six tips are great. There is one that I had already heard the other day and want to put into practice. That is to express gratitude by focusing on what I have instead of what I don’t have.
#3 for me! Praying about this.
Thanks for the reminders! I think I maintain a pretty positive attitude through my faith in Christ. Although, it is always good to be reminded and I will definitely share this with others that I know are not so positive and optimistic.
This devotional was so
Helpful. I like the idea of thinking if rooms in my mind and choosing to focus there. I am working on writing gratitudes in my journal. And I am one who overthinks everything. I am going to ask God to help me make decisions and stop over thinking.
I am so lonely! I lost my mom my best friend, my prayer partner in 2020 and I lost myself! I tend to visit those rooms and stay there then I lost my dad in 2021. My world fell apart and I know this is not good for me and I spiraled into depression locking myself away and building those walls. I have my good days and I feel so alive and full of energy and then I enter a room and I will stay there and get comfortable and start to decorate it . Thank you for this devo it has made me realize so much and how much I am loved by GOD!
All of them but #4 on over thinking!!! These were great reminders Thanks
Thank you for this devotion. I struggle with my thoughts and am trying to put into practice the steps outlined.
Great reminders! Thanks for encouraging us!