What Would Jesus Do With Thoughts That Won’t Shut Up?
Dear Brewtiful,
I've been struggling with intrusive thoughts about people who have hurt me and bad experiences from my past. These thoughts often pop up out of nowhere, bringing back feelings of anger, sadness, and frustration. I want to move on, but it's difficult to let go of the past and find peace. How would Jesus handle these intrusive thoughts and find forgiveness?
Sincerely,
Seeking Peace
Dear Seeking Peace,
First—thank you for asking the question most people are too afraid to say out loud. You're not broken for having intrusive thoughts. You’re human. With memory. With grief. With a mind that sometimes revisits the pain because it’s still trying to understand it.
If you’re wondering how Jesus would handle this kind of mental ambush? I don’t think He’d shut it down. I think He’d sit with it. I think He’d listen, fully. Not judge. Not rush. Just be there. And then, gently—but firmly—He’d remind you: You are not what happened to you.
Here’s how I imagine Jesus would help you find your way through:
1. Forgiveness Isn’t One Act—It’s a Practice
You don’t have to “get over it.” You just have to keep choosing not to carry it.
When those thoughts come up, try this: whisper “I forgive you” (even if it’s not true yet). The muscle builds over time.
2. Create a Compassion Playlist
Jesus didn’t shout over people’s pain—He met them in it. Music can do the same. Build a playlist of songs that hold space for you—gritty, kind, redemptive. Let sound carry what your heart can't articulate.
3. Write What You’ll Never Send
Letters to those who hurt you. Letters to yourself at 23. Letters to God, if you’re feeling brave. Write it. Rant it. Rage if you need. Then seal it. Burn it. Or reread it in a year and see how far you've come.
4. The 3-Minute Rule
Set a timer. Let the thought crash in. Feel it—all the anger, grief, resentment. When the timer ends? Breathe. Stand up. Move on. You honored it. That’s enough.
5. Ground Yourself With Objects That Hold Peace
Keep a small “altar” of sorts—things that make you feel grounded: a rock, a photo, a piece of cloth, a candle. When your brain spirals, hold one. Breathe into the present. Let it remind you that this moment is safe.
6. Visualize the Garden
When the thoughts hit hard, close your eyes. Picture yourself in a quiet garden. Jesus is there—not glowing, not sermonizing—just sitting next to you. You speak. He listens. That’s it. That image alone can calm your nervous system in ways you wouldn’t believe.
7. Flip the Tape
Every intrusive thought is a story on repeat. Challenge it. Flip the narrative.
“I’m still angry” becomes “I’m still healing.”
“I should be over this” becomes “I’m allowed to feel.”
Words are powerful. Rewrite the ones that echo.
8. Gratitude, but Not Performative
Start collecting one true thing each day that doesn’t hurt. A warm mug. A deep breath. A text from someone who sees you. Not because it fixes everything—but because it reminds you that life is still quietly unfolding, even in the ache.
Final Truth?
Jesus didn’t avoid pain—He walked straight into it. He wept. He flipped tables. He forgave out loud. So if you’re still stuck between hurt and healing, you’re not off course. You’re just walking the same road He did.
You don’t have to be perfect to be peaceful.
You just have to keep showing up for yourself—with truth, with softness, and sometimes, with a snack.
You’re doing more than you think. And healing? It’s already happening.
With grace, grit, and absolutely no judgment,
Brewtiful
