Over-thinking

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While, at the same time, also putting an end to underthinking as well.


NOTE: That wasn't directed towards you, OP. Just saying....both overthinking and underthinking can be bad in their own way. :)
 
Tinkerbell725 said:
Some Christians who overthink have difficulty resting in their salvation because they over-analyze their grace-based relationship with God rather than resting in “the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3, KJV
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I agree. That can at least be part of the reason for difficulty resting in salvation. There are other things to can make it harder for someone to rest in Christ for salvation. Receiving mixed messages about how salvation works, misunderstanding over Scriptures such as their meaning, insecurity and anxiety among other things can contribute quite a bit to having a hard time trusting in the Savior. If someone has trouble trusting Jesus in the small areas, it is not so surprising that one would struggle trusting him with their soul. There comes a point in time to say to God in some sort of way that no, we do not have all the answers and do not know everything but in the questions and doubts I will trust you because you love me and because your word says you are trustworthy.
 
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I am so guilty of this. Bows my head in shame, then lifts it up again, focusing on His victory rather than my foolish weakness. I am so grateful for the mind, and its capacity to form thoughts and to analyze and speculate, to learn and to grow; however, like everything else when we rely on our own understanding, boy do we find ourselves in a ditch. Well, speaking for myself alone, I can create quite a mess of imbalance internally when I overthink and analyze, futilely getting no where, chugging my engine, lol, until I have burned out the starter. But like stranger said, under thinking does not serve us well eirher. I think we need to spend much of our mindfulness in studying and meditating on His word, but again not to have it all figured out, but to renew our thoughts of agreement with our Lord, as much as we are able to. All for His glory and delight and for our own good.
 
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CharliRenee said:
I am so guilty of this. Bows my head in shame, then lifts it up again, focusing on His victory rather than my foolish weakness. I am so grateful for the mind, and its capacity to form thoughts and to analyze and speculate, to learn and to grow; however, like everything else when we rely on our own understanding, boy do we find ourselves in a ditch. Well, speaking for myself alone, I can create quite a mess of imbalance internally when I overthink and analyze, futilely getting no where, chugging my engine, lol, until I have burned out the starter. But like stranger said, under thinking does not serve us well eirher. I think we need to spend much of our mindfulness in studying and meditating on His word, but again not to have it all figured out, but to renew our thoughts of agreement with our Lord, as much as we are able to. All for His glory and delight and for our own good.
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I can definitely be one of them to overthink things. There is nothing wrong with contemplation and deep thinking, but when we get into the territory of unproductive rumination and trying to figure things out but just going around in mental circles, this is sounds more like worry. Here is a Psalm that may be of help:

Psalm 131:1-3:

1 LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.
2 Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.
3 Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever. ( KJV )
 
CherieR said:
I can definitely be one of them to overthink things. There is nothing wrong with contemplation and deep thinking, but when we get into the territory of unproductive rumination and trying to figure things out but just going around in mental circles, this is sounds more like worry. Here is a Psalm that may be of help:

Psalm 131:1-3:

1 LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.
2 Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.
3 Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever. ( KJV )
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Thank you soooo MUCH, love these verses. Thank you Cherie you are right about the mental circles.
 
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CharliRenee said:
Thank you soooo MUCH, love these verses. Thank you Cherie you are right about the mental circles.
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Your welcome and thank you for your comment. I know all too well that habit of worrying and useless rumination. I have looked up information about anxiety and how to cope with it enough times just to try to get help for my own anxious feelings. I may be able to coach someone going through generalized anxiety or panic attacks, and yet it is another thing to put what I know into practice for myself.
 
I’m praying for God’s wisdom and guidance upon you in a powerful way. May He fill your heart and mind with His joy and peace.
 
Jeremiah 17:9 - the human heart is desperately wicked, deceitful above all things

caution: these questions are extremely convicting, no need to share if uncomfortable, I just get sick and tired of my over-analytical thinking on topics like "motives"



is the heart trying to "conjure up" a more "pure" motive, to try to cover up impure motives?

what impure motives would the heart be trying to hide, cover up or suppress?




if you are unable to detect the exact motive, is it possible that your motive lack pure love for God?

if you ask God to purify your motive, and surrender your heart to God, would there be a reason to "be careful what you wish for"?

if yes, you can answer to yourself what that would be,

if no, can you give thanks to God, because God have given you the possibility of "pure motive" no matter how temporary it may be?


I'm trying to end "over-thinking" for this topic, once and for all, if even this is a failed attempt, please provide better suggestions, thank you
 
For the sake of the argument, assume that doubts of one's own salvation is evidence that one is saved

Keep doubting to be saved?
1 John 5:14 can correct this

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. (1 John 5:14)

Therefore, God wants us to have confidence
 
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If another faulty assumption, assume that doubts of one's own salvation is evidence that one is not saved

To minimize risk of being unsaved, avoid doubts

If doubt persist, based on that assumption, then settle the doubt by accepting (by faith) Jesus as savior
 
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