What's In Your Head?

"You spend most of your life inside your head.

Make it a nice place to be."

-Anonymous

What Thoughts Do You Focus On?

All day every day we are bombarded by rogue thoughts and situations that threaten our peace.  What matters is what we choose to do with our thoughts. 

The Bible says that the devil goes about the earth, seeking someone to devour.  (1 Peter 5:8)  That means that he is literally walking about the earth, looking for someone to destroy.  It's why the first part of this verse says be sober-minded and alert! 

When an evil thought enters your mind, do you recognize the author of those thoughts, or do you accept them as your own?  The reason Peter said to be sober-minded is because Satan is throwing evil thoughts at you all the time, and waiting for one to stick in your head.  His desire is for you to be consumed by dark thoughts.  If he can take you down with your own mind, making you believe that HIS thoughts and ways are actually YOUR thoughts and ways, he has you defeated!  And he didn't have to lift an actual finger against you.

We have to be on guard at all times, and aware of what's being thrown at us. 

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (AMP)

"For though we walk in the flesh [as mortal men], we are not carrying on our [spiritual] warfare according to the flesh and using the weapons of man.  The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood].  Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.  We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ,"

When the devil throws negative thoughts at you that darken your soul and poison your heart, take that rogue thought captive and bring it to the obedience of Christ.  How do we do that?  By stopping that thought in its tracks.  End it as soon as you realize it came into your head.  That's how you ward off depression, negativity, anxiety, apprehension, doubt, dread, misery, a panicked heart, and a troubled mind.

We have enough troubles in this life without allowing the devil to turn our own minds against ourselves.  Don't let him do this to you.

When you feel the dark thoughts come against you, recognize them for what they are, thoughts from hell, and turn your back on believing them.  Take a scripture verse and hold it fast!  Keep Jesus in the forefront of your mind, and He will strengthen you.

Isaiah 26:3 (AMP)

“You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character],

Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation]."

Keep your mind fixed on Christ, and you will have perfect AND constant peace.  Find a verse that strengthens your heart.  Turn on praise and worship music and notice that your mood lifts and the atmosphere changes.  Worship music is like vitamins for the soul, it keeps you healthy and wards of sickness and disease. 

So stay focused on Jesus and your heart will remain full of joy and peace.

Stay Conscious Of Your Righteousness!

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)

"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

One of the most important things we can do, is remain conscious of our righteousness that Jesus bought for us.  Jesus took on all our sin on the cross.  The sins that we committed in the past, are committing currently, and will commit in the future are already nailed to the cross.  He became our sin for us.  In exchange, we are able to take on His perfect righteousness.  It's that simple!

By keeping our mind fixed on the fact that we are righteous because Jesus made us righteous by exchanging our sin for His perfection, we will remain at peace.  Nothing and no one can take away our joy when we are conscious of our identity in Christ.  NOTHING and NO ONE.

It doesn't matter what anyone has to say about you, what matters is what God says about you.  He says you are set apart as holy (Deuteronomy 14:2).  God says you are chosen (1 Peter 2:9).  God says you belong to Him and are victorious in overcoming the world (1 John 4:4-5).  He says you are a royal priesthood! (1 Peter 2:9)

So remember these things when the devil levels lies at you.  You have been set apart, a royal priesthood, because of Jesus' blood which makes you righteous. 

In God's eyes you are righteous.  Confess it until you feel it.  It doesn't matter whether or not you feel it, it doesn't change the fact that you are righteous.  So declare it until you feel it.  Declare it until your mind is convinced, and your heart remains steadfast in the truth.  Declare it until you believe it.

What You Believe Matters

All day every day we are bombarded with negativity.  It doesn't matter where the negativity comes from, what matters is what we allow ourselves to believe.  What we believe about ourselves matters!  We need to keep our minds and hearts fixed on the Truth of God's Word.  Then we will truly walk in freedom and joy.

(Read Believing The Right Thing: Rewiring Your Brain & Renewing Your Thoughts)

For the last 6 years I have spent nearly every day listening to sermons that remind me of who I am in Christ.  By remaining conscious of who I am and where my identity belongs, it keeps me from being devoured by the devil.  When the Covid-19 pandemic hit I was already established in what I believe and you know what?  I didn't spend a single day worried about our family getting sick!  Why?  Because I know that my God protects us.  I KNOW we are protected.  And even if we get sick, we are still protected.

While friends and family members around me were worried and anxious about getting sick, I wasn't worried.  I remained in the word.  I believe God protects us, and that His hand is always with us.  I believe that He takes care of us.  What do you believe? 

Psalm 91:1-6

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High

Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;

My God, in Him I will trust.”

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler

And from the perilous pestilence.

He shall cover you with His feathers,

And under His wings you shall take refuge;

His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,

Nor of the arrow that flies by day,

Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,

Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

Where you spend your time will determine what you believe.  Do you spend time in the secret place of the Most High?  Let God be your refuge and fortress.  When you do, His Word says that SURELY He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler AND from the perilous pestilence.  Do you believe that for yourself and your family?  If you don't then change what you think!  It's that simple!

It takes daily discipline to change your thought patterns.  You might not notice it at first, and the devil will come to steal God's Word from you.  Don't let him. 

The parable in Mark 4 is all about the Word of God being scattered like seeds to people around the world.  When you receive it, let it take root in your heart.  Meditate on the Word over and over.  That's how God's Word becomes grounded in your life. 

In this parable Jesus says not everyone will receive the Word of God.  Some will let Satan come and steal the Word away from their hearts.  Or, they will let the voices of family and friends be louder in their lives than the voice of God.  Some people will listen to God's Word for a few days, but then when the news tells them something negative they believe the news instead of God's Word.  Why?  Why choose to listen to the world?  Our Bibles say do not be conformed like the people of the world!  Instead we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind.  Let God's Word renew you and wash you until you sparkle like the fresh fallen snow.  That's how we change what we believe.

Pay attention to what you believe.  What you believe will affect your emotions and feelings.  Pay attention to how you feel, it will show you what you are believing.

My friend, my desire for you is to be rooted and grounded in God's love.  God wants you to KNOW who you are and what He says about you.  When you are conscious that the Father calls you perfect and holy as His Son is perfect and holy, it will change how you act, talk, and feel.  But it starts in your mind.

So, what's in your head?  Make sure your thoughts align with the Truth of God's Word.  Keep your mind fixed on Jesus.  It will change your life!



With joy, Jessica