What Are You Thinking?

What Are You Thinking?

“For as he thinks within himself, so is he… Proverbs 23:7a TLV

The mind is a powerful thing. It helps us think. It helps us learn. It helps us grow, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually.

The mind is also a battlefield. Where spiritual warfare takes place. In our minds many battles are waged. Some are won, and sadly, some are lost.

So many people today are struggling in their minds and emotions. Sometimes it’s because of negative, hurtful words spoken to or about them. Sometimes it’s because of actions they perceive were against them. We often allow the words and actions of others to cause us deep hurts which could be prevented if we only took those thoughts captive and pulled those strongholds down.

What does that even mean?

How do I take a thought captive?

What is a stronghold and how do I pull it down?

What are you thinking?

Exactly!

To begin to take thoughts captive, or pull down strongholds, you first must ask yourself, ‘What am I thinking?’

Way too many times we allow our thoughts to run wild. Someone says or does something, and we perceive it the wrong way, or with the wrong intent. We think about it, wondering what was meant. Before long, that thought has snowballed into something so big and so hurtful that all we can do is cry, fret, and then we have let an entire day go by in misery. Or – we have lost an entire night’s sleep, worrying and crying over something that should never had affected us.

I have seen this many times. I’ve even done it! But that’s not what God meant for you, or me. God’s plans for us are good. They are to give us hope and a future—a good future. We were not meant to worry about what other people say or do, or what others say about us, or do to us. Jesus even said that in this world we would have trouble. But we are to take heart—be encouraged—because He overcame the world! That means that because of His victory, we who believe in, and follow Him, also have victory over these things!

However, rather than focus our attention on Him and what His Word says, we all too often allow our thoughts and the words and actions of others to overtake us, fester, and boil over, making us hurt, fearful, depressed, and miserable. Nothing makes me more angry than to read a social media post with innuendos about “certain people” saying or doing this, or to read someone’s post saying, “my anxiety,” or even reading one comment after another agreeing with the negativity and then posting their own issues. This, my friends, is a firestorm of negativity, which enables all of those involved to continue in their misery… which is exactly how the devil has tricked every person involved into staying in bondage to issues that aren’t even theirs!

For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34b ESV

God did not give anyone depression, anxiety, hurt, worry, sickness, or any other negative issues. He gave us power, love, and a sound mind. He gave us freedom from all sickness, and all disease, and forgave all our sins (Psalm 103:3)! However, unless we start believing Him and His Word, and begin declaring that same Word out of our mouths, nothing and I mean nothing will ever change.

Through this journey of walking healed, I have learned a huge lesson: It is none of my business what other people think about me, nor is it any of my business what other people say about me! Let me encourage you to take this same mindset. It’s none of your business what others think or say about you, either. So what if it’s not nice, or polite, or even complimentary? YOU move forward without them. YOU do what God has called you to do and let God handle other people and their comments.

“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 NLT

You can’t move into your next level with people who are not meant to go with you. Because not everyone is meant to go there. Some people are only meant to be with you for a season—even if you’ve been friends for years. They may not be meant to go to the next phase. And you are going to have to be okay with that. You are going to have to trust God going into the next level. Don’t worry, my friend. I promise you that He has already prepared others to come alongside you in your new level. Just as He has prepared you to move up to the next level, and into the next phase of your life and ministry.

What does any of this have to do with what we think? Everything! It all ties together. Our thoughts can make or break us. And this is where the enemy, the devil, loves to hang out, whispering lies, innuendos, and what ifs, in order to get you distracted from what God is calling you to do. And all too often, we will detour because one of our so-called very best friends said or did something that hurt us deeply. So, we had to sit and stew about it, let our thoughts run away with us, making more out of something that was none of our business to even give an ounce of thought, or even shed a tear over.

Let me leave you with this Word: 

            “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.”

            1 Peter 5:6-9, NLT

Now tell me, What Are You Thinking?