ROOTED IN LOVE ◽ HOME
As someone who suffers from OCD, I struggle a lot to take my thoughts captive. I get into negative thought cycles easily, and then they spiral out of control in the blink of an eye. It’s an ongoing battle I face, one that I will probably continue to face for the rest of my life, like a thorn in my flesh to torment me.
Although I will probably never fully escape this particular struggle, I’ve come a long way in controlling my mind. I’ll have to keep working and progressing as long as I live, but I’ve found certain habits that make the battle easier. So I thought I’d share those tactics with you this month, because I know there are many others out there whose thoughts can be all-consuming.
If that sounds like you, then you’re not alone, and you’re not broken. Your brain is simply wired differently than others and takes more effort to tame. The good news is that God doesn’t cast you off because of your struggles. He loves you, and He’s fighting alongside you in the battle every day.
With that being said, here are three simple ways to combat intrusive thoughts:
1) Open your Bible. Read a Psalm or two. Take time to focus on God’s goodness and His unfathomable love for you. Maintain a Christ-centered mindset rather than a me-centered one. Keeping your eyes on Jesus makes the thoughts feel less overwhelming, and that gives them less power over you.
2) Get your body moving. It’s easier to redirect your thinking when you’re doing something productive or exercising. Even going for a walk can reset your mind and help you breathe easier. An idle mind is a dangerous place, so give yours something to focus on.
3) Go outside. Calm your heart by sitting in the sunshine or watching the birds fly by. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the world around you rather than focusing inwardly. Remind yourself that the thoughts in your mind are so small compared to the vastness of God’s creation. It’s easier to have the right perspective when you’re surrounded by nature.
I hope these tools are helpful in the battle for your mind, and I hope you know beyond all else that you are a beloved creation. Rest in the fact that your Savior loves you and has a plan for you – a plan that goes far beyond your life upon this earth.
Cast your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7