Cognitive reframing – Think a new thought
Cognitive reframing in psychotherapy involves changing the way one thinks about a situation to alter their emotional response. Similarly, the biblical concept of renewing one’s mind emphasizes transforming thoughts to align with God’s truth and wisdom.
In cognitive reframing, individuals challenge and replace negative thought patterns with more constructive ones. For instance, Philippians 4:8 advises focusing on positive, uplifting thoughts: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Renewing one’s mind biblically involves a spiritual transformation, urging believers to align their thoughts with God’s will. Romans 12:2 instructs, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
Both concepts emphasize the power of thoughts in influencing emotions and behaviors, whether in psychotherapy or within a spiritual context.
Application
See, you don’t stop being a Christian when you go to therapy. You bring your worldview with you. In Christ we live, move, and have our being, right? Just by virtue of being in Christ, whatever healing takes place has His fingerprints all over it. So, whatever is presented to you in the therapy room, we view it through the lens of a believer who knows that all wisdom is God’s wisdom. Why? Because every good and perfect gift (including therapy) comes from above.
See what we just did there? That my friends, is a cognitive reframe. Taking the thought – therapy requires me to park my faith at the door, and remembering the truth that you are a child of God, who is the author of all wisdom. And that He withholds no good thing from us.
For more exploration about how therapeutic concepts are compatible with scripture, please visit this post where we unpack it a bit more. https://hopevenetta.com/is-therapy-consistent-with-scripture/