Episode 82: Change Your Mind
Our minds are often the messiest part of our lives…the question is WHY?
The Apostle Paul wrote, “Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” What pattern is he referring to?
o A thought occurs around something we’ve experienced or fear we will experience. Fear always works in a pattern.
o Our minds begin to fixate on a thought, fear, or experience.
o We spiral into dark or damaged thinking.
Brain research shows that it’s possible to rewire and retrain thought patterns resulting in a renewed mind. Genesis 3:1-6 shows where the damage came from and how it entered mankind. This was the “entry point” of sin and the destruction that follows. From this perspective, there are four entry points where damaging thoughts gain access:
Wounds: words, criticism, being ignored, overlooked, harshly treated
Offense: what we pick up and carry after being wounded
Fear: Thinking about life, circumstances, and God from a fear or punishment mindset
Trauma: The big life-shakers such as abuse, loss, abandonment, financial crushing, health upsets
To overcome damaging thoughts, we must do three things to become free.
1. RECOGNIZE and acknowledge toxic thoughts patterns. The Lord can’t heal what we refuse to feel.
2. RENOUNCE those negative thoughts. To renounce is to declare your abandonment of a claim, right or possession. To NOT accept something any longer.
3. RENEW the real estate of your mind. In war, after territory is taken, new victors set up their flag and create new boundaries. The devil values territory, and one of his prized possessions is your mind!
Gutsy Faith Challenge:
Using these strategies, how can you take back the mental territory the enemy has tried to control through your thoughts?
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