This cast of voices in Get Out of Your Head spans the author’s own inner life, her family and friends, and biblical figures who model how to fight destructive thought patterns. Though the setting is everyday life, the conflict unfolds on the battlefield of the mind, where toxic spirals meet the hope of a renewed focus on Christ. Community, Scripture, and choice become the tools by which real people engage a very real spiritual struggle.
Main Characters
Jennie Allen
As author and narrator, Jennie anchors the book with an unflinchingly honest account of an 18-month descent into doubt, anxiety, and cynicism—and the slow climb toward freedom. Relatable and vulnerable, she narrates snapping at her husband, questioning God, and feeling trapped by her thoughts, then describes a turning point in Uganda when a friend’s simple truth-telling and timely Scripture reading puncture the spiral (Chapter 1–5). Guided by both faith and neuroscience, she learns to treat the mind like contested ground, practicing habits that replace lies with truth and passivity with the power of choice. Her story is inseparable from her relationships: a deepening dependence on Jesus, honest support from Zac and friends like Ann Voskamp, and a clear-eyed naming of the Enemy’s tactics—all of which transform her from a victim of her thoughts into a purposeful fighter.
Jesus
Jesus stands as the book’s hero and fixed point, the one whose mind believers are invited to adopt and to whom every thought is surrendered. He is not a distant historical figure but a present rescuer who embodies truth, love, and authority over spiritual darkness. While He is unchanging, Jennie’s perception of Him shifts—from distant and possibly unreal during her spiral to near, powerful, and personal as she leans into His words and ways. His life offers the pattern for resisting lies, and His victory reframes the entire struggle as one fought with His strength rather than sheer willpower.
The Enemy / Satan
The Enemy functions as the book’s antagonist, targeting the mind with deception, accusation, and despair. His strategy is subtle but consistent: trap people in narratives like “I’m helpless,” “I’m worthless,” or “I’m unlovable,” thereby stealing joy and purpose. Though his character is static, Jennie’s awareness grows—she learns to identify his voice, confront his lies with Scripture, and leverage community and gratitude to dismantle strongholds. His opposition clarifies the stakes of spiritual warfare for the mind and highlights Jesus as the ultimate victor.
Supporting Characters
The Apostle Paul
Paul’s writings form the theological spine of the book, especially his call to “take every thought captive” and to be transformed by a renewed mind (transformation through renewing the mind). His own conversion—from persecutor to apostle—becomes a living parable for how truth can remove “scales” and reorient a life toward single-minded devotion (Chapter 1–5). As a mentor-from-afar, he models resilience, humility, and focus in suffering, pointing Jennie back to Jesus.
Ann Voskamp
A trusted friend, Ann exemplifies the healing power of godly community. In Uganda, her direct yet compassionate words—“This isn’t who you are”—help Jennie recognize the Enemy’s lies and remember her identity in Christ, catalyzing the turn toward freedom (Chapter 1–5). Her presence shows how wise friendship can interrupt destructive thought patterns.
Peter (the Apostle)
Peter’s walk on water becomes the book’s culminating metaphor: as long as his gaze stays fixed on Jesus, he stands; when he looks at the wind and waves, he sinks (Chapter 16). Passionate and profoundly human, he illustrates both the fragility of attention and the strength available through singular focus on Christ. His story ties the book’s practical counsel to a vivid biblical picture.
Zac Allen
Jennie’s husband is a steadying force who listens carefully, takes her concerns seriously, and helps translate spiritual insights into practical steps. His calm presence grounds the family during turbulent seasons, modeling a partnership that supports emotional honesty and growth. Through quiet constancy, he reinforces the message that healing often happens in trusted relationships.
Kate Allen
Jennie’s daughter brings a curiosity about neuroscience that dovetails with the book’s spiritual claims, underscoring that the brain can change and that thoughts reshape neural pathways. Her interests help frame the book’s integration of science and faith, giving tangible context to biblical renewal. As part of the family unit, she represents both inspiration and motivation for Jennie’s pursuit of mental freedom.
Minor Characters
- Jennie’s Other Children (Conner, Caroline, Cooper): Appear in everyday anecdotes that ground the book’s ideas in family life, showing how small choices shape a household’s spiritual climate.
- Esther: Travels to Uganda with Jennie and, alongside Ann, provides presence and support during Jennie’s breaking point.
- Curt Thompson: A psychiatrist friend who names underlying wounds and cynicism, highlighting the need to address hidden pain as part of healing.
- Brooke: Finds purpose in a retail job through gratitude, modeling how reframed thoughts can dignify ordinary work.
- Tara: Chooses forgiveness and bridge-building in her church despite racism, embodying proactive reconciliation.
- Roddy and Dee: An older couple who face ALS with unwavering faith, bearing witness to gratitude and purpose in profound suffering.
Character Relationships & Dynamics
At the heart of the book is the relationship between Jennie and Jesus: as her trust deepens, His words and presence reshape her thinking, orienting her away from fear and toward freedom. In direct contrast, her conflict with the Enemy clarifies the stakes—lies seek to isolate, shame, and paralyze—while truth restores agency, joy, and purpose. Family and friends serve as lifelines: Zac offers steadiness; Ann speaks truth in love; Esther and others embody the safety of community where vulnerability can surface and heal.
The biblical figures form a mentoring chorus. Paul supplies the strategy—capture thoughts, renew the mind, endure with focus—while Peter supplies the picture: keep your eyes on Jesus amid the storm. Together they frame the factions at play: the kingdom of Christ, marked by truth, love, and disciplined attention, versus deceptive powers that thrive on distraction and despair. The result is a network of relationships—divine, communal, and internal—that equips the struggling believer to resist lies, choose life-giving thoughts, and walk with purpose.