Dr.  Ronald Powell     

"Diseases caused by "Toxic Thinking"    

God tells us that we are to guard our hearts "above all else", for it is the "wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23

Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Luke 5:22  

The Heart is often referred to as the seat of all emotions and it is out of these emotions that bodily diseases can form and do their damage. We must renew the mind and guard the heart to stay healthy spiritually and physically.

Some diseases we may be inviting:

Heart diseases - Negative thinking contributes significantly to the generation of stress. There is an association between perception of stress and a heart attack independent of other risk factors. Constant stress increases the possibility and severity of heart disease. It has been found that constant stress increases the risk of a heart attack to twice as compared to those who have little or no stress. Negative thoughts are also instrumental in causing coronary artery disease and high blood pressure.

Sleep problems - Sleep is a natural mechanism of the body to cope with stress and anxiety. But irony is that anxiety can make it harder to sleep. Often the severe anxiety caused by negative thoughts sour the mood that can have a profound effect on the ability to get rest.

Obesity - The negative thoughts produce stress and anxiety, which is a well known factor responsible for causing obesity. Negative thoughts make it harder to reach and stay at a healthy weight. The hormones released when we're stressed include adrenalin, which gives us instant energy, along with corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) and cortisol. While high levels of adrenalin and CRH decrease appetite at first, the effects usually don't last long. But cortisol works on a different timetable. Its job is to help us replenish our body after the stress has passed and it hangs around a lot longer. It can remain elevated, increasing the appetite and ultimately driving to eat more.

Depression - Thoughts of pessimism result in depression. In fact, depression and negative thinking are connected to each other in a vicious circle. If we are feeling low, it means that we are having negative thoughts. Many of our negative thinking are automatic and certainly are not deliberate because of our previous mental conditioning. They pass by very quickly and unless we pay special attention to them, we take them for granted. Therefore, they are hard to change.

Memory impairment - Negative and destructive thoughts can cause damage to the dendrites in the brain, resulting in a belief that the brain is a naturally positive organ. The resultant damage to the dendrites causes memory impairment. If we consciously reject the negative thoughts about ourselves or circumstances, the neural circuitry starts to change. We begin to grow new dendrites in the brain, thereby reversing the damage done by the negative thoughts.

Skin problems - Some negative thoughts and their resultant stress can cause acne. During stress the body releases stress hormones including cortisol, which may increase the skin's oil production, making one prone to pimples. Studies show that at least 30% of all dermatology patients have some underlying psychological problem that often goes unaddressed, at least on initial visit, but if addressed, it can have a very positive and powerful impact in improving the skin condition. And negative thoughts that produce lot of stress contribute largely to the psychological problem underlying the various skin problems.

Digestive problems - Stress created by the negative and toxic thoughts has been associated with the onset or exacerbation of some of the chronic common digestive disorders. Such disorders include functional gastrointestinal disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, gastro-esophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer disease.

Cancers - Many experts have blamed stress caused by toxic and negative thoughts for some types of malignancies. But cancer also causes stress and it might be difficult to determine which came first. So, it is obviously difficult to establish exactly any temporal relationship between stress and cancer. In fact, stress can adversely influence the course and outcome of a cancerous growth. Stress can increase the risk of cancer in many ways such as people under stress may develop certain behaviors like smoking, overeating, or drinking alcohol, which increase a person's risk for cancer, especially in persons who have an inherited risk factor.

Replacing negative thoughts with positive thoughts -  

Since the toxic and negative thoughts have a profoundly bad effect on our body, it becomes imperative to replace them with positive thoughts.  

Most of the thoughts are related to the unpleasant events of the past and the expectations that we wish to fulfill in the future. When our expectations are not fulfilled as we desire them to be, we develop stress and anxiety. So, in order to avoid the negativity so produced by the unpleasant past and undue expectation of the future, we will have to learn to be in the present. By being in the present, we can stay away from negativity.

The practice of mindfulness is one of the important ways to stay in the present. It uses techniques like meditation. Mindfulness training helps us become more aware of our thoughts and feelings so that instead of being overwhelmed by them, we're better able to manage them.

Another important way to replace the negative thoughts is to repeat frequently the positive statements and concepts throughout the day. This practice is more effective when done in the morning as the mind is more receptive at this time of the day and before bedtime, when it reduces the stress of the day by infusing positivity in the mind. With practice, gradually, it becomes a habit and then our nature of positive thinking.

Still another important way is to cultivate the friendship of people with positive frame of mind. Since positivity is contagious, it will definitely influence you to be positive.

Reprogramming the toxic thought with the truth.

• The Bible says: "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing, and perfect will" (Romans 12:2).
• You renew your mind with the Word of God (Eph 6:17; 2 Tim 3:16).  This means you must find the specific promises to counteract the particular lie you are believing, and speak them out loud!  

• If you lack confidence, find the verses that tell you your identity in Christ.
• If you believe you are not loved, find the verses that say you are.
• If you believe you are being cheated or slighted, find verses that promise justice.
• If you struggle with finances, find verses that promise prosperity.
• If you struggle with illness, find verses that promise health.
• If you struggle with anxiety, focus on verses that promise comfort and peace.
• If you don't know what decision to make, focus on verses that promise direction.
• If you feel the world is against you, focus on verses that promise favor.
• If you struggle with fear, focus on verses that remind you of God's faithfulness and the fact that He is worthy of trust.
• If you deal with depression, focus on verses that promise you the joy of the Lord.
• If you feel impotent, focus on verses that promise power.
• If you have unmet physical needs, focus on verses that promise provision.
• If you feel threatened, focus on verses that promise safety.
• If you feel like a failure, focus on verses that promise success and victory.

As you begin to reprogram your mind with the Word of God, your faith will grow, because "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God". - Romans 10:17   

But it won't happen overnight. 

The Word of God is like a seed - Matt 13:22-23, and seeds do not spring up immediately after they are planted - rather, they come up "first the stalk, then the head, and then the full kernel in the head." Mark 4:28. 

Because of this, realize that you will need to tell yourself the truth for some time before it begins to take root and grow.  But it will bear fruit in time, and the fruit of the Spirit are the positive thoughts you want: "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control." Gal 5:22-23.