Pray This When Negative Thoughts Start Early

Maybe the negative thoughts started before you were even out of bed. You opened your eyes, and the voice in your head was already running down what's wrong with you and with today. This morning we'll ask God to renew our minds, and we'll start with what Paul wrote to the church in Rome. Let's bring this to God together.

In Romans chapter twelve, verses one and two, Paul writes this.

Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:1-2

Start with the opening words. Therefore, Paul says, on account of God's mercy. That first word points back over everything he's written in the letter so far. Eleven chapters about what God has done for people who didn't deserve it. Christ died for sinners, and those who trust Him are counted right with God. In chapter eight, Paul puts it like this.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:1

Many of the thoughts we wake up to are accusations. You always do this. You'll let somebody down again. Maybe you're brushing your teeth, and a mistake from years ago comes back as clearly as if it happened last night. You haven't earned mercy with a good start to the morning, and a bad start doesn't take it away.

Now look at the two verbs. Offer, and be transformed. The first is yours to do, and it takes in your mind. The second is done to you.

Paul tells the church in Ephesus what they were taught in Jesus.

to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:22-24

God created that new self. You're invited to put it on, like clothes laid out for you at the end of the bed.

The one who does the work is the Holy Spirit. Paul writes this to the church in Corinth.

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18

Notice the phrase are being transformed. It's still happening. A habit of thinking that took years to dig in probably won't be gone by lunchtime, and nothing in this passage promises the thoughts will simply stop. What it says is that the Spirit is at work in you. You don't have to out-shout the old thoughts by yourself.

Paul also gives the mind somewhere to rest. He wrote to the church in Philippi while he was in prison. This is what he says.

whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.

Philippians 4:8

He starts the list with the word true. Paul had real troubles himself, and he never says to pretend they aren't there. He gives your mind something solid to stand on.

One more thing. If your thoughts are heavy, or they frighten you, or they haven't lifted in weeks, that doesn't mean your faith is failing. Please tell a doctor or a counselor, and someone you trust. God often cares for us through people like that.

Let's pray. You can pray these words with me, out loud or in your heart.

Father, it's early, and my mind is already loud. I come to You through Jesus, my Lord. He died for my sins and rose again, and because of Him I'm welcome here. Let Your Spirit help me pray.

You're the God of mercy. You're patient with me, and You're stronger than every voice in my head. You made my mind, and You know every thought I have. Paul asks me to come “on account of God’s mercy”, and that's the only way I could come. You loved me while I was still a sinner, and You gave Your Son to die for me. Nothing I thought this morning changes that.

Father, You know how it's been. I woke up and the thoughts were already running. They said I'm behind. They said I'll get it wrong again. They went back over what I said yesterday, and what I should have done years ago. Some of them sounded so sure that I believed them before I'd opened my eyes. I've argued with them, and I've tried to push them down, and I get tired, and they come back. I've been trying to fix my own mind by myself, and I'm worn out. Help me stop treating every accusation as if it were Your voice. Your word says there's no condemnation for me in Christ Jesus. Help me believe what You say over what I hear.

So I'm asking You to do what only You can do. Your word says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” I can't renew my own mind. I'm asking You to do it. Take off what's old in me, and put on the new self You created. When a thought comes that isn't true, help me recognize it. Then give me something better to hold. Turn my mind toward “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right”. Remind me what's true about You, and what's true about me because of Jesus. And if some of this is more than a habit of mind, show me who I should talk to, and give me the courage to ask.

I offer myself to You this morning, the way Paul asks. My body, my thoughts, the whole day. Even the thoughts I'm ashamed of. I can't change them by gritting my teeth, so I'm trusting Your Spirit to do it. Paul says that we “are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” That's what I'm leaning on. It's slow, and I'm impatient. Give me patience with the pace. When I slip back into the old thinking, don't let me decide that You've given up on me. You haven't. Your mercy was there before I opened my eyes.

I pray for others this morning. For anyone lying in the dark with the same kind of voice in their head. For people whose thoughts are heavier than they can carry alone. Give them the courage to tell someone today, and bring the right person to listen. For anyone who's sure nobody notices them, let them know You see them. And for everyone praying along with me right now, give them Your peace.

Now I'm getting up to start the day. When the old thoughts start up again in the car or at my desk, turn me back to You. Let me say Your name, even if it's only, Jesus, help me. Help me be patient with the people around me, and kind to myself, because You've been kind to me. Tonight, when I lie down, I'll bring You my thoughts again.

In Jesus' name, amen.

Take a moment of quiet now, and bring Him whatever's in front of you today.

Hear this blessing from Paul's letter to the Philippians.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7