I Caught A Thought | Mastering the Mind Through Christ
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:
2 Corinthians 10: 5
Philippians 4: 4-9
SHOW NOTES:
Throughout many parts of the Bible, our thought life and the importance of guarding that aspect of who we are is communicated. Our thoughts give way to our emotions which give way to the narrative of how we perceive how life is. To master the mind through Christ, we must avoid catching wrong thoughts and cultivate the right thought patterns, focusing on all the good God has created for us.
The enemy wants nothing more than to steal your joy and peace. If the devil can steal the imperative fruits of being a Christian– those that give us strength, help us win in life, and set us apart–he will be satisfied. That’s why we need to go into the enemy’s camp to take back what the enemy has stolen from us and fight the good fight of faith.
Catching our thoughts includes taking captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). We have to be proactive over our thought life, instead of perceiving every thought as one that needs to be meditated on. Let’s face it, some thoughts are just plain lies! If we take them in, we risk them becoming our truth and reality. Friend, if a thought is negative or a downright lie contrary to God’s Word or the truth of the situation, catch it and throw it out!
Taking our thoughts captive can be easier said than done. So how do you do it?
Recognize the lie, replace it with truth, and repeat! Repeat that cycle over and over and over again. If you learn how to, you can get your thoughts into subjectivity before they take you captive. Rejoice and choose to focus on the right things—whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy (Philippians 4: 8).
Think about what you’re thinking about! Are you always thinking that you’re not enough, that you’re failing, that you’re a bad mom or bad wife? The enemy plays on these lies so that what we believe begins to align with what the enemy wants to plant in our heads. Reprogram and retrain what you’re thinking about. Ask yourself: “Is what I’m thinking true or just what I am feeling?”
Don’t marginalize moments! Even good people have bad moments. Don’t let the enemy get you to create mountains out of molehills. Practically speaking, this means avoiding the use of absolute words like “never” or “always.” They can make you feel consumed, discouraged, or like nothing will ever change. Speak in alignment with what God says about you, not what you’re feeling on your off days or in the valleys.
When you master your mind through Christ and purposefully replace negative thinking with God’s Word, get ready to experience a new level of joy, peace, and freedom in your life!