How to Stop Overthinking and Negative Thoughts as a Christian

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Have you ever caught yourself stuck in an endless loop of thoughts, replaying conversations in your head, analyzing every decision, or worrying about things that haven’t even happened yet?

Maybe you’re lying in bed, exhausted but wide awake, mentally rehashing that one comment you made earlier. Or you’re in the shower, having a full-blown argument with someone who isn’t even there, preparing for a conversation that may never happen.

Sound familiar?

If so, you’re not alone. Overthinking is one of the biggest struggles for Christian women who feel stuck, anxious, and unsure of their next steps. As a Christian Life Coach for women, I see this all the time. But here’s the good news: You don’t have to stay trapped in your thoughts.

This post will walk you through:

• How to discern where your thoughts are coming from
• A biblical framework for renewing your mind
• Practical exercises to stop overthinking fast
• A step-by-step process to rewire your brain in 90 days

Let’s dive in.

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(If you are more of an audible learner, you can click here to listen on Apple podcasts or listen on Spotify below)

Not Every Thought Is Yours: Discerning Where Your Thoughts Come From

Not every thought that pops into your head is true. And not every thought is even yours.

As a Christian, you have to recognize that thoughts come from three places:

1. God’s Voice – God’s voice always aligns with truth. His thoughts bring peace, not fear. If a thought contradicts His Word or makes you feel unworthy, it’s not from Him.
2. The Enemy’s Lies – The enemy’s goal is to plant seeds of doubt, anxiety, and discouragement. He wants you to feel stuck, overwhelmed, and powerless. If a thought makes you question your worth or God’s plan, recognize it for what it is—an attack.
3. Your Own Experiences – Your brain is wired to protect you. If you’ve been hurt before, your mind automatically scans for potential threats, even if none exist. This is why past experiences can trigger anxious thoughts that feel true but aren’t rooted in reality.

When you’re unsure where a thought is coming from, pray for discernment. Speak truth over yourself. And if a thought is negative, anxious, or defeating—don’t accept it as fact. If you need help with spiritual warfare, you can download my free Battle Plan guide.

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The Thought Model: How Your Thoughts Shape Your Life

Every action you take starts with a thought. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unworthy, it’s not because your life is a mess—it’s because your thoughts are.

There’s a simple framework that reveals how your thoughts shape your reality:

• Circumstance (C) – A neutral fact about a situation.
• Thought (T) – The meaning you assign to it.
• Feeling (F) – How that thought makes you feel.
• Action (A) – What you do (or don’t do) because of that feeling.
• Result (R) – The outcome you create.

For example, let’s say you’re scrolling Instagram and see a Christian entrepreneur thriving in her business.

Your thought: She has something I don’t. I’ll never be able to do that.
Your feeling: Insecurity and discouragement.
Your action: You don’t take action on your calling. You procrastinate. You scroll more, feeling even worse.
Your result: You stay stuck, reinforcing the belief that you’re not capable.

But what if you changed the thought?

Instead of thinking I’ll never be able to do that, reframe it to:
“God called me to this, and He will equip me. He is faithful and good. If she can do it, it means it’s possible for me too.”

This small shift leads to confidence, bold action, and movement toward your calling.

Your thoughts create your reality. The question is—are you choosing thoughts that lead to the life you want?

The 5-Minute Thought Detox: A Simple Process to Stop Overthinking

When overthinking takes over, you don’t have to stay stuck. Here’s a quick process to reset your mind:

Step 1: Catch the Thought (1 minute)

• What’s the thought that’s been circling in your head?
• Write it down or say it out loud.
• Recognize that a thought is just a thought—it’s not truth.

Step 2: Challenge the Thought (2 minutes)

Ask yourself:

• Is this thought 100% true?
• Would I say this to a friend?
• Is this thought helpful, or is it holding me back?
• What does God say about this in His Word?

If the thought isn’t true, helpful, or aligned with God’s Word—it’s just noise. Let it go.

Step 3: Choose a New Thought (2 minutes)

• Replace it with truth. Instead of I’ll never figure this out, say God gives me wisdom and direction.
• Speak it out loud three times. What you repeat, you start to believe. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing.”

You just rewired your brain in five minutes. And the more you practice, the easier it gets.

Quick Exercises to Stop Overthinking

If your mind is spiraling and you need a quick reset, try one of these:

1. The Brain Dump

• Grab a notebook and write every thought in your head—no filter.
• Read through it in the morning. Most of it won’t even matter.
• Circle the top three things that actually need your attention.

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2. The 5-Senses Grounding Exercise

If anxiety is taking over, ground yourself in the present moment:

• Notice five things you can see.
• Notice four things you can feel.
• Notice three things you can hear.
• Notice two things you can smell.
• Notice one thing you can taste.

This helps pull you out of overthinking and back to reality.

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3. Memorize Philippians 4:4-9

When your mind is anxious, go back to God’s Word.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Write it down. Speak it out loud. Let this verse anchor you in truth.

Rewire Your Brain in 90 Days

If you’re ready to break free from overthinking for good, I have a free guide that will help:

Download the 90-Day Renew Your Mind Guide – Stop overthinking, worry, and negative thoughts by rewiring your brain with biblical truth.

Final Thoughts

Overthinking doesn’t have to control your life. You have the power to change your thoughts, renew your mind, and step into the peace God has for you.

Your key takeaway: You get to decide what kind of life you’re going to live. Your thoughts do not get to dictate that for you.

Start today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Overthinking and Faith

1. What is overthinking?

Overthinking is when your mind won’t let something go—it’s like mental hamster-wheel mode. You replay conversations, worry about decisions, and spiral in worst-case scenarios. As a Christian, overthinking often looks like trying to figure everything out before trusting God. It’s a control mechanism rooted in fear, not faith. And girl, it’s exhausting.

2. How do I stop overthinking everything?

The short version? You interrupt the cycle and replace the lies with truth. Learning how to stop overthinking starts with noticing your thought patterns, taking them captive (2 Corinthians 10:5 style), and renewing your mind with God’s Word. It’s not a one-time fix—it’s a habit. And yes, it is possible with the right tools and a whole lot of Holy Spirit help.

3. What does it mean to overthink as a Christian?

To overthink as a Christian usually means trying to discern God’s will perfectly and fearing you’ll mess it up. You want to obey, but you get stuck asking “What if I heard Him wrong?” or “What if I make the wrong move?” Instead of moving forward in faith, you freeze. But listen—God isn’t trying to trick you. He’s not waiting for you to get it right, He’s inviting you to trust Him.

4. Why can’t I stop overthinking, even when I pray?

Prayer is powerful—but prayer without renewing your mind still leaves your brain in the same loop. Overthinking doesn’t disappear just because you say a prayer. It changes when you combine prayer with practical steps: journaling your thoughts, reframing your beliefs, and learning to trust God in the gray areas of life.

5. Is overthinking a sin?

Short answer: Maybe—but not always. Overthinking isn’t automatically a sin, but it’s often a sign that something deeper needs healing. In Scripture, sin is anything that separates us from God or goes against what He’s asked us to do. Sometimes overthinking flows from fear, doubt, or trying to control things instead of trusting Him—and that can point to a heart posture God wants to heal.

But here’s the nuance: God’s grace is sufficient. Especially after trauma, during spiritual infancy, or when we’ve been shaped by someone else’s sin, He’s gentle with us. As we mature in our faith and grow closer to God, He’ll start highlighting areas He wants to work on—including thought patterns that keep us stuck.

So is overthinking a sin? Ask God—and be willing to hear what He says. His conviction always comes with love, not shame, and an invitation into freedom.

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