For those that see psychology as a bunch of hokey, you are going to have a rough go of this. I encourage you to read on and share your concerns after reading the whole article in the comments below.
Positive thought placement is a cognitive behavioral therapy idea that states sometimes we struggle with motivation, depression and anxiety symptoms, or self-esteem but that simply changing our thoughts can change our attitude and motivation.
The Psychology Behind This
The research behind this, and there is a lot (more than all other therapies out there), is that our thoughts impact our emotions, which leads to escalation, and ultimately impacts our choices and behaviors that lead us away from our life goals and beliefs about life.
When we stop our negative thinking and force our positive thoughts, our emotions become more positive which inevitably leads to more positive choices.
The idea of hating Mondays for work is a good example. Stop falling in line with everyone else, regretting you have to leave the weekend. Instead, identify three positive thoughts for why this week is going to be great.
Obviously, this is not going to fix a broken marriage instantly, mend co-worker relationships, or help with your relationship with God. But it will put you in a better place today so that tomorrow will be marginally better, where you can use this skill again .
Scripture Actually Thought of This First
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” – John 14:1
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
The whole book of Proverbs is filled with positive thought placement statements like 3:5-6, 3:24, 12:14, and 14:16-17.
The Psalms are filled with these positive thought placements, but you need to read the entirety of the book with the context for the full meaning of the verses to be impactful. Seriously, go right now and read a bit of Psalms and come back. Then tomorrow do the same a little further.
Ecclesiastes 9:7 says “Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.” (By the way, Ecclesiastes is one big positive thought statement after going into frustration and depressive thinking that all is for not)
Why Does This Matter For Church Tech?
This could just sit as really good counseling advice for any Christian, but I believe this is especially important for church tech. As many tech enthusiasts, we spend too much time on our own and need to have words of encouragement for ourselves.
Church communicators are the voice and face of the church with the Internet and we need to share these thoughts with the world to renew it.
Finally, as digital natives, Twitter, Tumblr, vlogs, blogs and so many other platforms with our comments, reshares, quoted retweets, and more, we consume a lot of negativity. We need to have positive thought placement and Scripture at the ready for both our own souls and to be a light to this digital lands.
What do you think about this whole concept of positive thought placement?
And how do you feel about it being our jobs to bring Scripture into the world for both our own motivation and for others as well?
Jeremy Smith
Jeremy is owner of ChurchAndMentalHealth.com and the Co-Occurring Program Coordinator and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor at a community mental health center. Jeremy has a history of working as a ministry director for Youth for Christ for 8 years and then working as a mental health and substance use adult counselor in Colorado and Ohio, specifically running an Opioid Residential Treatment Center.
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