Think About What You’re Thinking About.

Written by Rebecca Johnson

Craig Groeschel once said, “Your life moves in the direction of your strongest thoughts.” If that’s the case, are we happy with the direction our lives are going? If the answer is no, don’t worry—you can change it by renewing your mind.

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” — Proverbs 23:7

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably heard this before but still don’t know where to begin. How do we use God’s Word to renew 20-plus years of thinking?

Step 1

Simple: Start by asking God to help you in this area. He will provide clear instructions on how to move forward.

Step 2

The next step is to find every scripture about the mind and print or write them out. These scriptures will be your weapon during the battle. You might have read the word battle and thought, “I had no idea I was in a war!” But the Bible tells us in Ephesians 6:12-13:

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

This battle is happening all around us, even in our minds.

Step

Here’s the corrected version:

For a day, track all your thoughts. Write down every thought that seems to reoccur—negative thoughts, positive thoughts, all of it. This exercise will give you insight into your thought life. If you find yourself thinking more negatively, that may be the root of many of your problems.

Now, here’s where the Word of God comes in. Combat those negative thoughts with God’s truth. For example, if you think, “Nothing good will ever happen to me,” counter it with: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Some of your thinking isn’t entirely your own. Sometimes, generational patterns of thinking get passed down. How our parents or other influential people in our lives view the world can shape and taint the way we see things. Pray against these inherited thought patterns and ask God to renew your mind.

The mind is a topic that is frequently discussed, and there are plenty of resources available—some even free. The fact that you’re reading this is your first step toward freedom. Keep going!