Bible Verses for Positive Thinking

In our Christian faith, we can do an awful lot of talking about sad or depressing things like sin and pain. However, there are a lot of Bible verses that talk about positive thinking or can serve to lift us up. Sometimes we just need that little boost, especially when we're traversing through times of trouble in our lives. Following each verse is an abbreviation for which Bible translation the verse comes from, such as New Living Translation (NLT), New International Version (NIV), New King James Version (NKJV), the Contemporary English Version (CEV), or the New American Standard Bible (NASB). 

Verses About Knowing Goodness

Philippians 4:8
"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." (NLT)

Matthew 15:11
"It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth." (NLT)

Romans 8:28–31
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (NIV)

Proverbs 4:23
"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." (NIV)

1 Corinthians 10:31
"When you eat or drink or do anything else, always do it to honor God." (CEV)

Psalm 27:13
"Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living." (NLT)

Verses About Adding Joy

Psalm 118:24
"The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad." (NIV)

Ephesians 4:31–32
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." (NLT)

John 14:27
"I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid." (NLT)

Ephesians 4:21–24
"If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth." (NASB)

Verses About Knowing God Is There

Philippians 4:6
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (NIV)

Jeremiah 29:11
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (NIV)

Matthew 21:22
"You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it." (NLT)

1 John 4:4
"You are of God, little children, and have overcome them because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (NKJV)

Verses About God Giving Relief

Matthew 11:28–30
"Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.'” (NLT)

1 John 1:9
"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." (NLT)

Nahum 1:7
"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him." (NIV)