When Your Thoughts Are on a Downward Spiral
SHARON JAYNES
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“Then I thought, ‘To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.‘” Psalm 77:10-11 (NIV)
The negative thoughts were rolling in like the tide carrying trash from the sea along with it. Certain aspects of my life hadn’t turned out like I thought they would, and I was mentally complaining to God … about God.
Why did You allow us to go through those years of infertility? All my friends are having grandchildren, and we’re missing out again? God, I don’t like this part of the story.
Have you ever prayed like this? If so, you aren’t alone. When we read the biblical psalms, we see a lot of lamenting that sounds like, This is not what I expected. Where are You, God?
In Psalm 77, the writer, Asaph, bemoaned many disappointments in his life and how he felt God had failed him:
“Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?” (Psalm 77:7-8, NIV).
The psalmist was in a mental downward spiral where his thoughts were dragging his emotions along with them. But then something happened in Psalm 77:10. He decisively, determinedly, and drastically changed his thoughts’ trajectory.
The psalm writer made a pivot. A shift. Rather than listing the ways he felt God had let him down, he began remembering all the ways God had lifted him up.
“Then I thought, ‘To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.’ Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles …” (Psalm 77:10-14, NIV).
The psalmist went on to recount how God saved His people through Joseph’s leadership in Egypt, parted the Red Sea, and led the freed slaves into the promised land. God was good after all! Asaph just needed to change his focus from thoughts that made him cower to thoughts of God’s never-ending, miracle-working power.
Psalm 77:10 begins, “Then I thought …” Those three little words could also change our own attitudes, emotions, and outlook on life.
In my situation, “then I thought” of all the ways God had blessed me with grandnieces and grandnephews whom I love to pieces. I remembered how He had given me spiritual “daughters” of my heart. I thought of how He'd blessed me with an amazing husband for 45 years and counting. The trajectory of my negative thinking moved from grumbling about what I didn’t have to gratitude for all God had given.
God of miracles, please forgive me for forgetting all You’ve done in my life. Today I praise You for Your past provision and protection. You are the God who performs miracles. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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ENGAGE
Sharon would love for you to visit her website to discover FREE downloads to encourage and equip you in your journey! And just for dropping by, you can find a link to the homepage for “70 Common Lies We Tell Ourselves and the Biblical Truths to Replace Them.” You can also find out more about her book Enough: Silencing the Lies that Steal Your Confidence, where you’ll learn how to load your heart with God’s Truth to fight your deepest insecurities.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Psalm 13:3b-5, “Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, ‘I have overcome him,’ and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation” (NIV).
Psalm 22:2-3, “My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One …” (NIV).
Asaph wasn’t the only writer who started a psalm lamenting and had a “then I thought” moment. In Psalm 13 and Psalm 22, David also turned his thoughts to trusting and thanking God even though he was in a trying season.
Consider how you’d fill in this blank to reposition your thinking: “I was thinking one way about my struggles, but then I thought __________________________.” Leave a comment, and let’s share!
© 2025 by Sharon Jaynes. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
