The 9 Most Common ANTS

Almost everyone I talk to as a friend, a coach or a pastor make the false assumption that they are the only ones dealing with what they are dealing with.

It is a little, almost perfect lie designed by the enemy of your soul to keep you in shame, to keep you from talking about it, which always keeps you in bondage.

When it comes to ANTs, Automatic Negative Thoughts, it is important to express them to God in conversation, through a journal and to trusted others.

Once we start doing this we realize that, well, this is just an ANT common to man—which means it is an ANT that can caught and crushed.

When you can name an ANT, you can tame it.

You can talk back to it and replace it with something true.

In POD #70 I cover the 9 most common ANTs and give a Scripture as replacement thought. It is a powerful exercise and puts into practice the scripture about “Taking Every Thought Captive”.

It takes some work but it is the right kind of work that leads to life and life more abundantly.

If you’ve ever wondered “Why do I keep thinking like this?” — you’ll probably see yourself in this list.

The list is not to shame you — but to show you where to start talking back.

I have put a short list of the 9 most common ANTs below the image.

If you have not listened to The ANT Introduction, POD #69, then go back and do that before listening.

Enjoying the ANT Crushing Journey with You,

Les

The 9 Most Common ANTs

1. All-or-Nothing ANT
   Everything is black or white. If it’s not perfect, it’s a total failure.

2. Always ANT
   You use words like “always,” “never,” or “every time.” One bad moment becomes “this always happens.”

3. Focusing on the Negative ANT
   You overlook what went right and fixate on what went wrong.

4. Fortune-Telling ANT
   You predict the future and assume the worst — as if it’s already true.

5. Mind-Reading ANT
   You assume you know what other people are thinking — and it’s usually negative.

6. Guilt-Beating ANT
   You “should” and “must” yourself into shame and regret.

7. Labeling ANT
   You call yourself names based on one situation or mistake.

8. Blaming ANT
   You blame others for how you feel, giving away your power.

9. Personalizing ANT
   You make things about you when they’re not. You assume people’s actions or words are aimed at you.