Did you know every thought has a mission—to either give life or destroy you. I surely remember the days of feeling destroyed as my thoughts and emotions were on a mission to take me out. I felt overpowered and out of control, and they were surely winning! Needless to say, I let them control me; until, one day, I got fed up and couldn’t take it anymore. As a result, the frustration drove me to the Word of God, and that’s when I found the solution–transforming your mind will only take place when you do something about it, because you’re responsible for the thoughts you think and no one else can change them. I realized the Word of God was going to have to become a part of me. It was going to have to bypass my mental realm (mind) and get stored inside of my heart. Needless to say, those years of being tormented could have been prevented as I sat there waiting for deliverance.
I’m reminded of Cain, when he got really angry and God tried to help him expose and label the thoughts that led to his anger (Genesis 4). Not only that, God tried to help him confront the thoughts by reminding him of the truth. Then God told Cain he was responsible for managing his anger, and if he didn’t do something about it, sin was crouching at the door eager to control him. He told Cain, you must rule over it and be its master. Unfortunately, Cain lost the battle and got hijacked by his thoughts and emotions. They took control of him!
So, I’m curious! After you turned your life over to Jesus, did you continue to battle the same thoughts? If so, that’s because your mind, will, and emotions are usually left in the same condition. So, don’t lose heart, this is not uncommon. Hence, that’s why Romans 12:2 says your mind must go through a process of renovation, because there’s a lot of stuff that’s been accumulated and stored in there over the years. In other words, the thoughts that have been causing you problems have to be replaced with brand new ones, and this will require some work on your part! Just like God reminded Cain, it’s time for you to intentionally and consistently feed on the realities of God’s Word as they get planted in your heart. I guarantee, if you do this, everything in your life will begin to shift. Your old ways of thinking will get deleted and replaced as you become transformed by the implanted word which is able to deliver your mind (James 1:21). Yes, the Word can save, deliver, rescue, and protect your mind! Remember, you are a slave to whatever controls you (2 Peter 2:19).
So, are you tired of being bullied by your thoughts? Well, you don’t have to be pushed around anymore! You’re no longer obligated to your flesh according to Romans 8, and it’s time to experience freedom! So rise up and start dominating your thoughts by eating the bread from heaven- the Word of God, because the Word is incorruptible- it can never be destroyed and will live and grow inside of you forever (1 Peter 1:23). This bread is so tasty, and you won’t be able to get enough!
STEPHANIE JONES
“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” -Romans 8:5-6 (NLT)