Training Your Morning Thoughts!
By: Elizabeth Louis
Many people hold an automatic way of thinking that is negative. Therapists call this way of thinking Cognitive Distortions or “Thinking Traps.”
Instead of challenging these thoughts, most people willingly agree with these thoughts. From a Christian perspective, these “thinking traps” aren’t just psychological errors — they’re places where the mind has not yet been renewed in truth. They don’t even think twice about the matter but reactively accept whatever their brain tells them to be the truth!
When this happens, the person has allowed their potentially misfiring mind to take control of their life. That’s right, “misfiring” or “miswired” brains happen.
Simply because your brain sends you a message via thought or sensations does not mean it’s accurate or true. The human brain can send false information either through limbic trauma loops or habitual thinking and being.
That is why you MUST train your mind, or your mind will train you. Scripture puts it plainly: transformation happens through the renewal of the mind. If you don’t intentionally train your thoughts, something else will — fear, trauma, habit, or survival patterns formed long before you had language for them. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want anyone to control me, let alone my self-sabotaging and self-protective behaviors.
There’s nothing worse than having the Anxiety Gremlin smack you across the face before you even get out of REM. What I call the “Anxiety Gremlin” is what Scripture would describe as the flesh — a protective, survival-driven voice trying to keep you safe, but operating without truth. “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6).
You know, where you are gaining consciousness and movement through your body, this intense energizer-bunny on steroids sensations runs through you accompanied by negative, terrifying, and worrisome thoughts projected into the future. Your mental projector then begins to turn these thoughts into images, and all you see is EVERYTHING YOU DO NOT WANT TO SEE HAPPEN IN YOUR LIFE, HAPPEN!
It can destroy a day before it even begins!
What do you do – get proactive. Get ahead of the habits or tendencies. You make a plan. You execute.
The first thing you have to do is create a HUGE pattern interruption in your thoughts. You can do this by snapping your fingers, hugging yourself, or shaking your entire body. Next, you tell the Anxiety Gremlin to STOP! You demand a time-out. You talk to that little guy. You do not ignore the Gremlin, as this makes matters worse. I liken this to ignoring a 2-year-old when they have a tantrum, and the tantrum will get worse. Instead, respond in love with boundaries.
Talk to the Gremlin. As the Gremlin projects the worst case scenario to you, you tell the Gremlin best case scenario. You soothe the Gremlin by letting the Gremlin know your values and a plan if that worst-case scenario happens. Like you would do for a two-year-old who was worried you aren’t coming back to get the child from daycare.
Additionally, write down three positive and accurate thoughts that you can read and repeat to yourself before you get out of bed! Do this the night before. You choose the attitude you want to create.
For instance, list some things that can go right. Reframe the worries to opportunities to grow. Find small rewards. Celebrate the fact you are getting out of bed if it’s been a rough few days!
Scream, today’s going to be a great day.
Reframe hardship!
Choose to become better instead of bitter from those challenging moments as those hardships create character and perseverance.
What is something you are looking forward to – plan a treat for the day. For instance, I love having coffee with my creamer during the day. They don’t have to be big.
Set mental checkpoints to help you get through the day. Instead of being overwhelmed with all you have to do see the day in increments with checkpoints throughout the day. Like what Mario does in the Mario racing game! Break the day down and take it moment by moment, which requires mental discipline not to peek over the invisible time wall that separates NOW from the future.
Practice filling your mind with thoughts that align with truth — because your default thoughts are shaped by the world, not by Christ, until they are intentionally retrained. That means you must tell those un-serving thoughts or Gremlins to go! You have to set up mental boundaries to keep your mental garden healthy and prosperous, free of weeds that require frequent pruning.
Ready to Build a Framework for Your Mind in Christ?
If this post hit home, you don’t need more random tips.
You need a repeatable framework—so your thoughts, emotions, and decisions stop running on fear, habit, or trauma loops… and start aligning with God’s truth.
Mindset Mastery: The Jesus Way will help you:
Break destructive thought cycles before they take root
Respond with Spirit-led clarity instead of emotional chaos
Anchor daily choices in God’s truth (not shifting feelings)
Develop the discipline to think, feel, and act under Christ’s authority
See your situations through Heaven’s perspective
Inside the course, you’ll learn the Six Core Principles:
thinking traps
godly mindfulness
biblical values
emotional control
radical acceptance
Throne Room Thinking
And you’ll walk it out through 10 Christ-centered lessons—plus tools to support the process (like a 7-Day Guided Bible Study, Interactive Growth Workbook, 30-Day Devotional Journey, and On-the-Go Audio Lessons).
Explore Mindset Mastery: The Jesus Way
If you want personal guidance, you can also apply to work with me 1:1.
