Freedom from Mind Chatter
Those negative voices which replay in your mind making you feel sad, useless and weak- that is what I call mind chatter.
Anne tossed about all night, unable to sleep, the heated argument she had had with her boss the day before kept playing in her mind.
Sandra was unable to forgive her husband and love him again. Her mind was racing.
Vanita wished she had made better choices as a younger girl. She blamed herself, her parents and wallowed in self pity. The words ‘You are a failure’ kept ringing in her ears.
As a single mum Shafina was not happy with where life had brought her. There were a lot of IF ONLYs in her mind chatter.
This year the word freedom has been on my mind as I started the year. The Bible promises freedom to a child of God, but what is stopping us from living that fully? Have you ever felt your mind running ahead of you with negative thoughts that totally pull you down?
“If you hold to my teaching, you are my disciples, then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”
-John 8:32 & 33 NIV
We had had visitors come over and I had planned the dinner. As everyone left, I had this recording playing in my mind. ‘The dishes, the taste, the presentation, nothing was good enough!’. Over the next few weeks, Satan taunted me with negative thoughts, thoughts which pulled me down and made me useless and empty, very contrary to what the Lord has promised for all of us.
What does freedom mean today for you and me in 2026?
Freedom from the past.
Freedom from worry and regret.
Freedom to forgive, love and trust.
Freedom to live abundantly.
Freedom to forgive others and forgive ourselves.
My good friend Lily recently shared with me that she had broken up with her boyfriend. She shared her sadness and tears with me as we met up and chatted over tea and french toast. I was looking for a Bible verse to share with her and pray over her. Here is the verse I gave her.
“I run in the path of your commands for you have set my heart free. It is the Lord who sets our heart free.”
-Psalm 119:32 NIV
The image which comes to mind is running in an open field in freedom among flowers under a blue sky! Could you describe your life at this moment like that?
As a daughter, sister, friend, co worker, church member, wife, mother or grandmother let us claim and live out this FREEDOM in Christ today.
“If Jesus sets you free, you are free indeed.”
-John 8:36
3 strategies that have helped me combat mind chatter:
1. Prayer
Dear Lord
Take my thoughts captive and free me Lord from negative thoughts and regret.
Free me from the past and all that pulls me down.
Help me to forgive others as you Lord have forgiven me. Free me to also forgive myself.
Help me give all my care to you and live free of worry.
Let me live an abundant life, free to laugh, love and trust.
In Jesus name
Amen.
2. Memorizing and meditating on Bible verses
Write down verses from this article in your journal or save them on your phone. Choose one for meditating today. Now and then pause through the day to visit the verse.
Sharing the verse with a friend helps me revisit the verse. Paraphrasing it (writing it in your own words) and praying the verse helps you remember it as well.
Writing Verses in Our Hearts on Tirzahmag can help you with this:
Writing Verses in Our Hearts — TIRZAH
3. Listening to and singing and praying using praise songs and hymns.
https://youtu.be/r2BP9HSiuvk?si=HM6-iyaI3AaxgdoG
Here are the ones I listened to and sang along with this morning. Praying it will bless you too.
I will end with a few lines from Wanda and Brunstetter’s The Prayer Jar Devotional.
'With God all things are possible. Even a radical change of thinking. Give your mind chatter to Him. And while you’re at it, tell the enemy to get lost! He has no business messing with a child of the King, after all!’