Think Better Thursday: Trade Catastrophizing for Curiosity

At times, we can jump right off the mental thought cliff. Someone says something, and before we’ve taken a breath, our mind rushes straight to worst-case scenario. Instead of slowing down and asking clarifying questions, we assume. And usually, our assumptions are far worse than what the other person ever intended.

I remember a friend once sharing how upset she was with her husband. She wanted to talk to him about it, but the thought that kept her frozen was, “If I tell him, then he’ll get mad, and then he’ll want a divorce.” Do you see it? Do you see how she jumped right off the cliff?

Conflict happens in every relationship — marriage, friendships, family, even work. And here’s the truth: conflict itself isn’t the danger. In fact, conflict is healthy when it’s done right (we’ll talk more about that in a future post). But fear has a way of hijacking our thoughts, making us believe the story is bigger, scarier, and more permanent than it really is.

That’s what catastrophizing does. It whispers lies that push us away from truth and connection. But curiosity? Curiosity invites us to stay present, ask questions, and hear the other person out. It changes the story from “This is the end” to “Help me understand.”

Try This:

1. Pause and name it: When your mind runs to the worst-case scenario, stop and say out loud, “I’m catastrophizing.” Naming it breaks its power.

2. Shift into curiosity: Replace the fear-thought with a curious one like, “What else might be true?” or “What can I ask instead of assume?”

3. Clarify, don’t conclude: If it involves someone else, ask a clarifying question instead of filling in the blanks yourself.

   
   

Inviting God:

God doesn’t ask us to live in fear of “what if.” He calls us into the peace of “even if.” When fear tempts you to jump off the cliff of assumption, His Spirit can steady your mind and remind you of truth.

Let’s Connect:

If this post resonated with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below or reach out to me directly through the blog. And if you’d like more encouragement like this, don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss a post.

📖 Looking for more practical encouragement and everyday wisdom? My new book My Pocket Counselor is available now on Amazon.

👉 I’ll see you back here tomorrow for Fact-Checking Friday.