How to get out of the brooding trap

There are days when I really know that God loves me. That thrills me and I decide that I will stay in that frame of mind, because that’s when I feel wonderful. That’s how I like it, I’m happy with myself and the world. I can embrace the world, because God is with me!

And then life happens; a person reacts in a certain way to you and you ask yourself why. Or you yourself do something where you ask yourself why you reacted so in such a strange way. What does the other person think of you now and what do you think of yourself? Or you have a challenging task – or many – that make you insecure and occupy your thoughts a little too much. Or your body is suddenly not cooperating and you are sick, in pain and worried. You’re in an endless loop of negative thoughts. In these moments, you doubt God’s promises for you. These situations are so close and God seems so far away!

You realize that you are once again in the brooding trap. In this dark hole your thoughts are circling around these scenarios and somehow you can’t get away from them. Is there anyone who doesn’t experience this? I can’t imagine it!

Now what? How do I get back to the joy of the Lord, to that state of serenity and peace where I’m doing so well? Is God so far away? No, in truth, only our thoughts are far from God!

The key is to change our focus. This is an act of will, and with practice it becomes more and more achievable. There are people who have a little alarm clock in their pocket that vibrates every 10 minutes. This reminds them to think of God, to thank him, and to remember that they are loved and belong to him. They remember what God says about them and that he is always with them. They get a tangible reminder to keep their focus in the right place. This alarm clock is a tool to prevent falling into wrong thinking patterns, the brooding trap.

What am I grateful for? What’s good in my life? God is indeed always close to me! When my thoughts are filled with God’s perspective I am on the right path. I can’t think about all that every 10 minutes, of course, but it is a “nudge” for my thoughts. It gets me back on track.

How about being so sensitive that your inner system is aware right away when your mood tips, so you can reset your focus immediately? Or how about knowing the difference between healthy reflection and brooding, and develop an alarm in your mind for it? I believe with practice it is possible to have an inner “nudge” that alerts us.

We can also help each other! How nice it is to have trusted people give me a hand when I find myself trapped again. Let us also remind each other again and again that God is with us. We can help each other not to lose focus and be guides! Yes, the Lord is a good God and we belong to him!

Lord, you are my God; I will honor you and praise your name…. Isaiah 25:1