Dr. Daniel Amen is a psychiatrist and a Christian who created the acronym ANTS. He had observed these in his patients years ago. ANTS stands for Automatic Negative Thoughts that are Spontaneous.
These thoughts occur so often that we accept them without realizing it. Then, before we know it, we are not only agreeing with them but are coming to conclusions about ourselves that are the opposite of what our Heavenly Father says about us.
For example, my dad loved me, but when I was growing up, he would tell me to do something like hammer a nail, but wouldn’t teach me how. Then, when I made a mistake, he would get angry, criticize me, and take the hammer and do it himself. What did I learn about myself from that? “I’m inadequate.”
Even to this day, if I make a mistake, I can have that thought come to me, “I’m Inadequate.” If I don’t challenge that thought and replace it with the truth, I will feel discouraged, depressed, or anxious. Then, I’ll think about giving up.
Those thoughts don’t take into account that my Staff and I have counseled, coached, taught, and trained thousands of people on five continents. It doesn’t matter that I’ve written a best-selling book, and get asked to speak every year. In fact, those things Jesus has done through me are not enough to make me feel adequate.
So, how do we kill these ANTS seeking to sabatoge us?
First, let’s make sure we understand that these thoughts originate from our Enemy, not us. When we are young, events happen that he uses to introduce them to our minds; then they recur in other situations. Today, he still inserts those thoughts. So, how can we recognize them and replace them?
Colossians 3:2 tells us, “Set your minds on things above, not on things on the earth.” Practically, here’s what that means. Ask yourself, “What am I thinking right now? Is that true?” What would my life be like it this wasn’t true?” Then, replace those thoughts with God’s truth such as these. “Thank you, God, that because of Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection, my mistakes, successes, and others’ opinions don’t define me. You alone define me. You are living in me and love me with no strings attached. In Christ I’m righteous, holy, complete, accepted, valuable, secure and deeply loved by you.”
This is what I do over and over during the day, and I encourage you to do the same. Let’s kill our ANTS!
