Intrusive Thoughts And Our Identity In Christ

We all have thoughts that enter our minds that bother us…sometimes torment us.

If it was up to us, we would never have these thoughts.

Honestly, we wish they would go away and never come back.

They are uninvited and unwanted thoughts.

But they show up…again and again…and invade our minds.

These thoughts are called intrusive thoughts.

They produce shame…self disgust…self hatred.

We think others could love and accept us if they knew we had these thoughts.

These thoughts make us question our salvation.

Am I really saved?

Have I truly believed in Jesus?

Have I genuinely placed my faith in Jesus?

These thoughts make us think there is something terribly wrong with us.

We think no one else has these thoughts.

We tend to look at others as spiritually and mentally healthy but see ourselves as spiritually and mentally unhealthy.

Then our thoughts spiral down into self-condemnation and increased self-disgust and self-loathing.

Something to be aware of is that we all have intrusive thoughts.

Those uninvited and unwanted thoughts that drift into our minds…over and over again.

Something we all think…

We think that yes, we all have intrusive thoughts…but the thoughts that enter my mind is much worse than other people’s thoughts…if you only knew the thoughts I have, you would agree with me and walk away in disgust.

We all have in common our humanity…our struggles…our battles, and yes, our minds.

We all have in common these intrusive thoughts.

Yes, even the thoughts we think others do not have.

Please know…

You are not worse than others…we are all the same.

So what do we do with these intrusive, uninvited, and unwanted thoughts?

I wish I could tell you they will one day go away and never come back…and maybe for some people that is true…but for many of us these thoughts continue.

When they come…completely ignore them…pretend they are not there.

These thoughts are not your thoughts.

Go on about your day…accomplish your tasks, finish your project, continue your conversation, etc…

The thoughts will return…at some point, they will return.

When they return concentrate on your identity in Christ.

What is your identity as a believer in Jesus?

You are valued and loved by God because he created you.

You are forgiven and accepted by God because of the blood of Jesus poured out for the forgiveness of all your sins.

You are saved.

You are a believer in Jesus.

You have placed your faith in Jesus.

You have eternal life.

But you are human…like all of us…in need of God’s grace every moment of every day for the rest of our lives.

If you enjoyed this article or found it to be helpful, you may find Brad’s book, The Story of Grace enjoyable as well. CLICK HERE