Think Again!

Chapter 14: The Practice of Forging: Crafting the Plan • 131

you believe. Don’t be rigid or legalistic. Make the process work in a way that is natural for you in relationship with him. 2. As you demolish strongholds, remember to defend against return offenders. As you gain victory, don’t be surprised when old thoughts come back. Sometimes I have needed to stop using my current slogan, returning to an old one so I can fight an old battle again. Don’t be surprised when toxic thoughts return. Remember forging is 3-D: demolish strongholds (past), detain thoughts (present), and defend against disobedience that returns (future). 3. This practice is not meant to replace spiritual disciplines, but rather assumes you are regularly reading the Word, praying, serving in a local church, etc. For some references on spiritual disciplines see Appendix 4. 4. Remember, it takes 21 days of persistent work before you can get lasting change in brain chemistry. It takes three rounds of 21 days (63 days) before you have gained mastery and can disciple others. Leaf’s research shows that people do well for the first few days, and then it becomes difficult and most people get discouraged and give up. 70 Stay with the process, trusting God to forge you into his image. If all this feels overwhelming and you don’t know how to proceed, consider the ideas in Appendix 5 to get you moving again. 5. Don’t be discouraged if you feel the need to change the wording of your slogan in the middle of the 21 days. Sometimes the Spirit has taken me deeper into the same issue and given me a different slogan within the same general theme. For example, I have started with the slogan, “waiting renews strength” and then a few days later I changed it to “enjoy future restoration.” Rejoicing in the midst of waiting is the consistent theme, but as I moved through the 21 days, a richer and more meaningful slogan has sometimes emerged.