21 Tips on How to Think About the Good as a Christian

This post is about how to think as a Christian.

Written by a previous trauma therapist, a Licensed Master Social Worker, and current PhD Student learning how to bridge the gap between theology and psychology.

Disclaimer: This post uses affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on purchases (at no extra cost to you).

Are you struggling to understand how to think as a Christian? Are you wanting to learn to think more positively? Today, we will look at 21 evidence-based facts that support positive thinking from a Christian psychology perspective. Let’s get started!

How to think as a Christian

Philippians 4:8
“Whatever is true, noble, right, pure… think about such things.”

Mental Health Insight –  Did you know your brain cannot differentiate between good emotion or bad emotion? The amygdala (emotional part of the brain) only measures arousal and intensity. Our brain cannot tell the difference between high levels of anxiety or high levels of excitement. The first thing your brain does is recognize the power behind the thought, it’s not until later the prefrontal cortex (logical part of the brain) steps in to try and label and understand that energy. 

Faith Connection – That is why in moments of great distress when can utilize Philippians 4:8. We can take that same energy that is fulling the distress and utilize it by focusing on what is “true, noble, right, and pure”. Redirecting our thoughts to the positive things in our life and fostering gratitude can help us overcome the darkest of moments.

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Reflection Question: If you knew that every time you chose a positive thought, you were physically strengthening the wiring in your brain, how would that change the way you talk to yourself during difficult moments?

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Prayer: Dear God, thank You for the passion and energy You have placed within me. When I feel an overwhelming surge of emotion, help me not to be afraid of the intensity. Teach me how to label my feelings through the lens of Your truth. I choose to take the power of my emotions and channel them into praise, trusting that You are in control of every heartbeat. Amen.

21 Tips for Positive Thinking

Write down three good things daily to fulfill Psalm 103:2’s call to remember God’s benefits, a habit that physically rewires your neural pathways to spot positive events easily.

Take a brisk ten-minute walk to care for your physical body as a temple in 1 Corinthians 6:19, which triggers the release of happy hormones to boost your mood.

Practice deep, slow breathing out through your mouth, anchoring yourself in the life-giving breath of Genesis 2:7 to activate your vagus nerve and quiet your amygdala’s panic response.

Label your specific emotions out loud just as the writers of the Psalms openly poured out their hearts to God, shifting your brain activity from the emotional center to the logical prefrontal cortex.

Change your scenery suddenly when overwhelmed, modeling Jesus who frequently withdrew to quiet places in Mark 6:31 to disrupt negative thought loops with new scenery.

Watch something funny or laugh with a friend to experience the truth of Proverbs 17:22 that a cheerful heart is good medicine, triggering endorphins that neutralize stress hormones.

Physically smile even if you do not feel like it to align with Proverbs 15:13’s observation that a happy heart makes a cheerful face, signaling your brain to immediately release serotonin.

Reduce your screen time before bed to enjoy the peaceful sleep promised in Psalm 4:8, preventing blue light from blocking the melatonin your brain requires to regulate emotions.

Reframe “I have to” into “I get to,” actively practicing the command to give thanks in all circumstances in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 by shifting your brain from a threat state to a reward state.

Volunteer or help someone else out to live out the truth of Acts 20:35 that it is more blessed to give than receive, activating your mesolimbic pathway for a biological “helper’s high.”

Drink a glass of water when you feel stressed, honoring the sustaining hydration referenced in Psalm 23:2 because even mild dehydration physically impairs your brain’s cognitive flexibility.

Focus on your five senses for exactly one minute to practice being still before God as urged in Psalm 46:10, grounding you and pausing the neural network responsible for endless worrying.

Recall a past blessing or favorite memory in vivid detail, obeying Lamentations 3:21 by deliberately calling faithfulness to mind to fire the exact neural circuits of that original joy.

Limit your intake of daily news to guard your heart above all else as commanded in Proverbs 4:23, preventing a stream of negative information from keeping your amygdala on high alert.

Compliment your own effort rather than your fixed traits, developing the endurance praised in Romans 5:4 to encourage your brain to view failures as temporary learning steps.

Eat a nutritious snack rich in omega-3s, remembering how God provided physical food to restore Elijah’s heavy spirit in 1 Kings 19, giving your brain the raw fuel needed to stabilize your mood.

Set one tiny, easily achievable goal for your day, honoring the “small beginnings” of Zechariah 4:10 because checking it off provides a quick hit of dopamine that builds momentum.

Listen to upbeat praise and worship music just as David’s harp music refreshed Saul’s tormented spirit in 1 Samuel 16:23, stimulating your auditory cortex to alter your emotional state.

Stand up straight with your shoulders pulled back, physically embodying the command to stand firm in Ephesians 6:14 to reduce circulating cortisol levels and increase your confidence.

Write down a negative thought and physically throw the paper away to visually take that thought captive as taught in 2 Corinthians 10:5, tricking your brain into seeing it as permanently discarded.

Remind yourself of your past victories during hard times just as David remembered God’s past deliverance from the lion and bear in 1 Samuel 17:37, overriding your brain’s natural negativity bias.

Christian Book Recommendations

Many of you have been asking for further resources that could potentially benefit you on your mental health journey. Below I have attached a book you might find beneficial surrounding this topic!

The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time – By Alex Korb, PhD Description: This book explains how the various parts of the brain—including the amygdala and prefrontal cortex—interact to create our emotional experiences. It offers practical, science-based tips on how to “retrain” your brain to label high-intensity arousal as a positive force rather than a negative spiral.

Why wait for shipping when you can start reading—or listening—right now for FREE? 🚀

Get instant access to the mental health tools recommended on this blog in under 60 seconds. Whether you prefer flipping pages on your screen or listening on the go, choose the format that works best for you:

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Closing Thoughts

I hope today’s blog post was not only educational but also helped you draw closer to God. If you or someone you know if potentially struggling with negative thinking or intrusive thoughts and want guidance, please connect with a therapist today! Check out TherapyforChristians.com to get connected with a faith-based provider in your area!

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Think Like Christ Mental Health

Disclaimer

Educational and Spiritual Support Only: I am not your therapist. The information provided on this blog—including book recommendations, worksheets, biblical insights, coping skills, or any other content on this blog—is for  educational, informational, and spiritual encouragement purposes only. No Professional Relationship Interacting with this content, including leaving comments or sending direct messages, does not create a therapist-client relationship. This blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Seek Professional Help: Always seek the advice of your physician or a licensed mental health provider regarding any medical or psychological condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here. If you are in a crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a crisis hotlin