The second idea for separating ourselves from our thoughts is to – See our thoughts from the outside (having a thought) instead of seeing a thought from the inside (buying a thought). This is a big deal when it comes to negative self-talk and automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) in general. In my opinion, there’s a spectrum from having to buying a thought that looks like this:

• I notice I have this thought of anxiety
  • I think I’m feeling anxious
    • I feel anxious
      • I am anxious!

The more we are buying a thought, the more we see it from the inside and the more we identify with it. Remember the joke – “I’m cold.” “Hi, cold, I’m so and so.” How many times did we fall for that as kids!  But as adults we still say that. I’m anxious. I’m tired. I’m depressed. I’m happy. If we start to see thoughts from the outside and can tell ourselves, “I’m having this thought,” we’ll be hijacked by our thoughts less often.

If you put your hand in front of your face and try to describe it, that description will sound a lot different than if your hand is arm’s length from your face. The same applies to our thoughts. When we buy into a negative thought and let it become our identity, we’re going to struggle to accept compliments from others, to believe the truth that God loves us, and a lot of times, we’ll hold ourselves back from doing the things we were meant to do for God’s glory.

If we get hijacked by ANTs – I’m worthless. Nobody cares. I don’t have anything to contribute. They don’t want to hear from me anyway. –  we can replace them with God’s truth. It takes a lot of effort – I’m still working on it – but it’s worth it!

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