How to Stop Overthinking and Trust Yourself: A Christian Trauma Therapist’s Perspective
You know that feeling—the one where your mind won’t shut off. You replay conversations, dissect decisions, and second-guess yourself at every turn. You analyze every possible outcome, trying to predict the future, afraid of making the wrong choice. And the worst part? The more you try to figure it all out, the more tangled you feel, trapped in a cycle of overthinking that leaves you exhausted, overwhelmed, and paralyzed by indecision.
If this sounds like you, I want you to know—you are not alone.
As a trauma therapist, I hear this all the time from successful Christian women who love the Lord, yet still struggle with overanalyzing, doubting themselves, and feeling stuck in cycles of fear and hesitation. They wonder, If I really had faith, wouldn’t I just know what to do? Wouldn’t I feel peace instead of all this turmoil? They assume their constant wrestling with decisions means they lack trust in God.
But what if I told you that your overthinking isn’t about a lack of faith? What if it’s actually a symptom of deeper wounds—of perfectionism, fear of failure, and a nervous system stuck in survival mode? And what if healing through therapy could help you break free from these patterns so you can trust yourself and God more fully?
The Trap of Overthinking
Overthinking often disguises itself as wisdom. We tell ourselves, I just want to make the best decision. But underneath that reasoning is often something deeper—fear. Fear of making the wrong choice. Fear of disappointing others. Fear of stepping out and getting it wrong.
And so we hesitate. We delay. We spiral into mental loops, waiting for absolute certainty before we move forward. But here’s the truth: absolute certainty never comes. Instead, we find ourselves stuck—drained, overwhelmed, and disconnected from the very peace we long for.
The Biblical Perspective: Trusting God Over Our Own Understanding
Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
So often, we lean on our own understanding, thinking that if we just analyze a situation enough, we can control the outcome. But trusting God means we don’t have to know every detail. We don’t have to have a foolproof plan. We simply have to take the next step in obedience, knowing He is guiding us—even when we don’t have all the answers.
Breaking Free: Moving from Overthinking to Trust
If you’re caught in the cycle of overthinking, here are three biblical truths to help you step out in faith and trust yourself:
1. God Has Already Equipped You
One of the biggest lies overthinkers believe is: I don’t know enough. But 2 Peter 1:3 tells us:
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.
You are not lacking. You are not deficient. You have the Holy Spirit within you, guiding you. You don’t need to overanalyze to the point of exhaustion—you need to trust that He has already given you what you need for this moment.
Therapy can be a powerful tool in helping you recognize these truths on a deeper level. By working through past wounds and identifying the root of your self-doubt, you can learn to walk in the confidence that God has already placed within you.
2. God’s Peace Comes From Surrender, Not Certainty
We think peace comes when we’ve figured everything out, but true peace comes from surrender. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Peace isn’t the result of perfect planning—it’s the result of trusting God, even in the unknown. And sometimes, we need help learning how to surrender. Therapy can help untangle the fears that keep us clinging to control, allowing us to truly release our worries to the Lord.
3. Faith Requires Action
James 2:17 tells us:
Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Overthinking keeps us stagnant, but faith requires movement. Instead of waiting for absolute clarity, take a step forward. Make a decision, trust God with the outcome, and know that He will redirect you if needed. If taking action feels impossible, working with a therapist can help you develop the tools and strategies to move forward with confidence and peace.
The Authority You Have in Christ
The enemy wants you to stay stuck. He wants you to believe you’re incapable, that you don’t hear from God, that you’re always going to struggle with doubt and indecision. But Jesus came to set you free.
Luke 10:19 says:
Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.
You don’t have to be enslaved to the cycle of overthinking. You have authority over the fear and doubt that tries to keep you paralyzed. When you step out in faith, when you trust that God is guiding you—even in uncertainty—you step into the fullness of who He created you to be.
Final Encouragement
Sister, if you’re struggling with overthinking, I want you to know this: You are not alone. You are not broken. And you do not have to stay stuck in this pattern. God is calling you to trust Him, to trust yourself, and to step boldly into the life He has prepared for you.
Therapy can be a transformative tool in this journey. It can help you break free from patterns that have kept you stuck, rewire your mind to align with God’s truth, and learn to walk in the freedom and authority that is already yours in Christ.
So today, take a deep breath. Release the pressure to have it all figured out. Choose to trust that God is leading you—even when you can’t see the whole picture. And then, take one step forward in faith.
Sarah Harris, LCSW, is a Christian trauma therapist offering EMDR, somatic therapy, and intensives for women ready for deep healing and lasting change.