Think Again!

98 • Think Again: Transformation That Yields a Return on God’s Investment

deceptive interpretation, building a destructive stronghold; or 2) God’s encouraging interpretation that leads to abundant life, taking the thought captive. For example: • “You will never amount to anything.” (No, I am somebody because the Holy Spirit indwells me and gives me gifts to serve his body). • “Why can’t you be more like your brother?” (I don’t need to compare myself to my brother or sister or anyone). • “We don’t need you here, you’re fired.” (Yes, I have been fired from this job, but God has work for me to do elsewhere). • “I don’t love you anymore.” (This person does not love me, but God loves me and wants to use me to bless others; he’s not done with me). • “Your child has died.” (Yes, my child has died, but God will comfort me because he knows what it is to lose a child too). • “Your wife has cancer.” (Yes, my wife has cancer, but God will help me through it to bring glory to his name). You are not defined by the accuser’s meaning of these hurtful words. You are defined by God’s truth . Like the security guard at a gate, you can detain a truck that appears to be carrying suspicious cargo. You can pull the truck to the side and investigate its contents before letting it inside the gates of your mind. Interrogate thoughts and feelings and refuse to give them access to your brain. As the sentry of your mind, you can take thoughts captive, refusing them entry. You can send them packing.

As you do this, you allow God’s truth to dictate your feelings. By detaining toxic thoughts, you are forged into his identity.