Recently, I’ve been struggling with some anxieties and insecurities. They seem to stem from various thoughts that pop into my head about how I look, what I can or can’t do, or what other people think about me.

Normally, this is not something I wrestle with. I’m a fairly confident person. I’m not overly concerned with other people’s opinions of me. I know my strengths and my weaknesses. I generally try to do my best and resolve to do better when I haven’t been my best.

But these ugly, judgmental thoughts started arriving out of the blue. They sneak up and jump out from behind corners when I least expect them.

Just this morning I was in the middle of serving a tennis ball in a match with some good friends, when a voice suddenly said I wasn’t good enough and that these people didn’t want to play with me. It was so jarring that I almost stumbled. This voice was only in my head, and I told it to shut up and let me play.

Negative thoughts are nothing new, of course. Some of them come from our own insecurities, triggered by some event or comment. Others are born out of past trauma. Some may even be attacks by the evil powers of this world, trying to prevent us from living the full, free, joyful, and loving life that God intends for His children.

So what’s the solution? How do I overcome this internal harsh critic?

“We demolish arguments and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭5,‬ ‭CSB)‬‬

A friend told me once that any thought I have about myself that doesn’t seem like something someone who loves me would say should be thrown out. And the only way to throw out a thought is to replace it with another.

Telling myself not to think about pink polar bears will only ensure that I spend some time contemplating pink polar bears. Instead, if I concentrate on blue orangutans, it will be easier to put aside those pink polar bear thoughts.

On my drive home from my tennis match, I asked God to help me dispatch with these judgy and negative thoughts. I know they aren’t thoughts God has put in my head, and they don’t belong.

By spending time praying and reading God’s word, I am reminded that God created me. I am “fearfully and wonderfully made” according to Psalm 139:14. God took great care making me, and He has a purpose for me, things He created me to accomplish. I’m not perfect at all, but God loves and can use even those imperfections. Best of all, when I fail to make Him proud, He is ready with forgiveness and love.

Dear God, thank you for the way you made me. Thank you for loving me just as I am. Forgive me for wasting time and energy wallowing in insecurity or contemplating hateful, counterproductive thoughts that scurry through my mind. Teach me how to replace them with your reminders of love, encouragement, and purpose.