Can We Control What We Think About? | Therapy & Theology

Have you ever wondered why you may anxiously obsess over something? The truth is whatever consumes our thinking deeply affects our quality of life. But can we really control what we think about?
This episode is part of the newest season of Therapy & Theology: "You Asked ... We're Answering." Through podcast reviews, direct messages on social media, and more, Lysa TerKeurst; Licensed Professional Counselor Jim Cress; and Proverbs 31 Ministries' Director of Theological Research, Dr. Joel Muddamalle, collected your most asked questions. Now they're spending an entire season answering!
Related Resources:
- Download the free Listener Guide for this episode! Complete with statements to hold on to and scriptures to call to mind, this guide will help you apply what you learned in this conversation. proverbs31.org/read/resource-...
- Feelings aren’t meant to be fixed; they’re meant to be felt. Jennie Allen wants to help you discover how to lean into this truth with her new book, [Untangle Your Emotions: Naming What You Feel and Knowing What to Do About It.] And the best news is ... Untangle Your Emotions is the first book pick for the brand-new Circle 31 Book Club with Proverbs 31 Ministries! This is your space to walk through life-changing messages with life-giving friends. [Get your book, and start reading with us on May 1.] www.p31bookstore.com/products...
- Stay connected with Lysa TerKeurst, Jim Cress and Dr. Joel Muddamalle on Instagram.
lysaterkeur...
jimcress?h...
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- Proverbs 31 Ministries reaches women in the middle of their busy days through free devotions; podcasts; speaking events; conferences; resources; Bible studies; and training in the call to write, speak and lead others. Learn more by visiting our website! proverbs31.org/?...
0:00 Intro
0:38 How do you Combat Intrusive Thoughts?
2:02 It’s simple but not simplistic
2:26 Feeling anxiety in your chest
3:36 Thought or Warning?
8:42 Manage the panic
13:28 Go to the source of Truth
18:13 Is something out of alignment in my life?
23:11 Intrusive thoughts, emotions, and dysfunctional relationships
24:02 Prepare in times of strength for times of struggle
25:09 What is real right now!

Пікірлер: 54

  • @shameekaedwards3727
    @shameekaedwards37272 ай бұрын

    This message was right on time for me. As I was watching this I was having a real time panic attack as a result of dealing with intrusive thoughts over the last few days. Such a great reminder that we have the authority to take rebellious thoughts captive by taking it to the Cross. Also, Jim’s ANXIETY acronym is one that I will continue using: And Now Christ I Enthusiastically Trust You. Thank you for such a timely and relatable message.

  • @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    2 ай бұрын

    Wow! Thank you for sharing how this video helped you, friend.

  • @collageartist-jacquied3180
    @collageartist-jacquied3180Күн бұрын

    Thank you! Lysa I do the same thing in my catastrophic thinking…love the exercise and review of “what is TRUE right now…” 💜 Jesus has us in all situations! 💜

  • @suzabella2769
    @suzabella27692 ай бұрын

    Thank you again Lysa -- congrats on all your wedding good news and family joy !!! cheering for you & prayers for blessing at proverbs 31 ministries

  • @Jess_Roman
    @Jess_Roman2 ай бұрын

    Thank you for continuing to help people! Congratulations on your marriage! It's so awesome to watch your videos and see your pain and feel your pain, going through some of the same things, and then see you find love and happiness again! I am so happy for you! May God bless you both and your new journey together!! God has revealed through you that He cares for us individually and turned it all for good because you love Him! Showing millions that He can do the same for each one of us! You are a beautiful Bride! Thank you for being so vulnerable, open and honest. Thank you for sharing your life with the world even though you had no clue where it would go but trusted God through it all. He showed up and made it right! Beautiful!

  • @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    2 ай бұрын

    Thank you for your kind words, friend!

  • @Jess_Roman

    @Jess_Roman

    2 ай бұрын

    @OfficialProverbs31Ministries I love the idea of therapy and theology! You have an amazing team! Thank you all for what you do! Continued prayers for healthy, happy futures!

  • @ChelseaNicholas-jm9lt
    @ChelseaNicholas-jm9lt2 ай бұрын

    I have OCD, after being born again my outward compulsions have stopped but my intrusive thoughts continue, though not as bad as they used to. Thank you for this video

  • @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    Ай бұрын

    We're glad this video was helpful!

  • @cindyrobinson3882
    @cindyrobinson38822 ай бұрын

    Thank you Jim for sharing your vulnerabilities & how you handle anxiety etc. 🙏 😊 Very helpful!! God Bless!! 🙏

  • @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    2 ай бұрын

    Thank you for watching!

  • @user-rx6cw3bo7d
    @user-rx6cw3bo7d2 ай бұрын

    Whoa! This was SO good! Thank you guys for your vulnerability…I love this team so much ❤

  • @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    2 ай бұрын

    We love this trio, too! Thanks for tuning in, friend.

  • @paulametoyer9721
    @paulametoyer97212 ай бұрын

    Great podcast! 2 Cor. 10:5 has been my go to verse for my ‘run away’ thoughts - especially in the last year as I’ve been dealing with relationship issues with my daughter + ending a relationship with a man from church. My son, X, struggles with anxiety, so I have shared the quote with him about preparing and times of strength for times of struggle. Please lift him & me in prayer.

  • @rebeccaschroeder2278
    @rebeccaschroeder22782 ай бұрын

    Great word! Thank you so much for posting this!!

  • @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    2 ай бұрын

    Thank you for watching!

  • @taylore22
    @taylore222 ай бұрын

    Lysa at 24:43 literally described how brain works. Oh what a comfort it is to know that those in Christ struggle with the same things!

  • @mollyr9149
    @mollyr91492 ай бұрын

    Live no Lies by John Mark Comer is a helpful read for understanding the history and practicalities of this warfare.

  • @JodiSwirczek
    @JodiSwirczek2 ай бұрын

    Wonderful message!! Thank you for these truths!

  • @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    Ай бұрын

    We're so glad you enjoyed this!

  • @saeintrests
    @saeintrests2 ай бұрын

    Goodness -the thought process is very difficult. Catastrophic thinking is the worst. I have the same patterns Lysa mentioned. But thank God for the tips that I can put into practice through this session.

  • @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    2 ай бұрын

    We're glad this was helpful to you, friend!

  • @lifewithlulu1183
    @lifewithlulu1183Ай бұрын

    Lisa's question about the intrusive thoughts on safety in the bathroom got me thinking. Because I tend to be a very cautious person but rarely alarmed or anxious if there is no reason for it. So... I think developing a logical brain to balance out the illogical is really helpful with intrusive thoughts. In her bathroom situation, I would have logically assessed the risk and backed out of there if needed to or asked for someone to go in with me. I have also assessed risks before and found it was just me being paranoid and pushed through. Having a really objective part of your brain that can give input into your thoughts is really helpful. Personally in her situation, she did notice that there are some risks even if it's from a show. The show got it from somewhere in real life. And then later her husband sort of confirmed the worry, so I personally would not have used the bathroom.

  • @lilliamlopes9795
    @lilliamlopes97952 ай бұрын

    I really appreciate your work! May God bless and prosper you always ❤

  • @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    2 ай бұрын

    Thank you for watching, friend!

  • @s.annehancock730
    @s.annehancock7302 ай бұрын

    Such a great team.

  • @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    2 ай бұрын

    We agree!

  • @deborahclavette879
    @deborahclavette8792 ай бұрын

    This is so clarifying & helpful! Thank you’

  • @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    2 ай бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @ddc5845
    @ddc58452 ай бұрын

    🎉❤ Great topic...

  • @kathrynjoseph3331
    @kathrynjoseph33312 ай бұрын

    This was so helpful. Thank you!

  • @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    2 ай бұрын

    You're so welcome!

  • @brookebales2931
    @brookebales29312 ай бұрын

    Lysa I’ll have those thoughts too ugh. Too many action movies over the years is one culprit! Plus reading world news articles (hardly read! But see enough ugh) Always picture the worst case scenario too. ESP after having kiddos; worrying something happening to them. I’m always praying over them, with them, alone etc 🙏 Lord help us.

  • @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    2 ай бұрын

    We hope this video helps you take those thoughts captive!

  • @brookebales2931

    @brookebales2931

    2 ай бұрын

    Me too my sister and brothers in Christ! ❤ the Lord has been doing some amazing work in me/my marriage(we go way back to kindergarten 🥰), all because I’m focused on putting Him first, reading His word daily and lots of prayer; thank you 🙏

  • @minimalqueen7523
    @minimalqueen7523Ай бұрын

    Thanks for the ANXIETY acronym. I’ve used it 3 times today and it brought me such peace!

  • @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    Ай бұрын

    We're so glad it helped you, friend!

  • @4twiceasgood
    @4twiceasgoodАй бұрын

    Well now I won't be going in c store alone or to bathroom that is multiple use. Tks for that Lys😅😂

  • @RuthRodriguez-zk1gr
    @RuthRodriguez-zk1gr2 ай бұрын

    Great episode! Jim made a comment towards the end about the enemy putting thoughts in our heads. I wanted to get Joel’s perspective on that and see how Biblically accurate it is to say that the enemy puts negative thoughts. I ask this because I believe the devil is not omnipresent like God, so how could he be in multiple places at the same time and put negative thoughts in so many people?

  • @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    2 ай бұрын

    This is a great question! We'll see if Dr. Joel is able to answer it in a future episode.

  • @ddc5845
    @ddc58452 ай бұрын

    2 Corinthians 10:5-6 King James Version 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

  • @Thenextperson
    @Thenextperson2 ай бұрын

    Love y’all ❤

  • @ponytail911
    @ponytail9112 ай бұрын

    Lord knows I needed to hear this! ❤

  • @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    2 ай бұрын

    So glad you tuned in, friend!

  • @margaretpacheco4229
    @margaretpacheco42292 ай бұрын

    The sixth sense or the sense of discernment is not only exclusive to women. God has also granted His discerning spirit to men.

  • @debbieevans7425
    @debbieevans742521 сағат бұрын

    What is anxiety acronym

  • @debragibbs9347
    @debragibbs93472 ай бұрын

    "stronghold" = a defensed argument ...any thought that continues to reject God's Truth when the thought is confronted with God's Word/Truth...must be "taken captive" and forced to submit to/obey the Truth in God's Word

  • @debbieevans7425
    @debbieevans742521 сағат бұрын

    Whst is anxiety acronym

  • @bremimy277
    @bremimy2772 ай бұрын

    Are intrusive thoughts and cognitive distortions same?

  • @eternalperspective4136

    @eternalperspective4136

    2 ай бұрын

    I don't think so, because one doesn't usually believe intrusive thoughts.

  • @sultanabutt2564
    @sultanabutt25642 ай бұрын

    I've been tortured by all kinds of intrusive thoughts which have been designed to embarrass me.

  • @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    @OfficialProverbs31Ministries

    2 ай бұрын

    We're sorry to hear of your situation, friend. We hope this video helps you take those thoughts captive!