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Have thoughts ever drifted into your mind and scared you? We’d all like to deny the reality of those off-the-wall, angry, or even ugly penetrating thoughts.  The times when we are left questioning, “How could I think such a thing?” When those weak-minded moments occur (and they have, and will), they cause us to: become self-condemning; to evaluate our spirituality; and sometimes even our sanity. We have all been there, and the purpose of this article is not to examine why, but rather to give encouragement in the battle for your mind. Each of us has personal struggles that are self-contained within our thought life that, if not controlled, will burden our souls. Can you accept that God knows all about your mind games, and is very willing and anxious to help?

Considering this battle we all face reminds me of the “prince of preachers,” Charles Spurgeon. He could be considered an earlier version of Billy Graham (or maybe the comparison needs to be the other way around), yet he battled long-term struggles with depression.  I will never forget one of the ways he fought his very real and personal battle. The story goes that Spurgeon would write Scripture verses on the ceiling of his bedroom and use them to overcome his melancholy. Your personal mental assault may not be depression, but it could be anger, guilt, insecurity, addiction, etc.…  For some, the assault may be fleeting and for others deep-seeded. I am here to say, “Take heart!”  God knows, He cares and He wants us to cast our cares on Him.

It is hard to fight an enemy who has outposts in your head.
— Sally Kempton

I don’t know anything about Sally Kempton, but her statement intrigues me. We can all relate to a particular enemy that wants to set up control in our minds. It’s easy to let all that surrounds us invade our mind. And if we allow a mind invasion, there will be consequences. In many ways, it is easier to fight the battles from the outside (circumstances and people). Internal struggles (our thoughts), if not corrected, can have devastating effects. God gives counsel that all believers should meditate on and apply! II Corinthians 10:5(b) says

… and take every thought captive to obey Christ.

Take heart! We can turn any thought toward the will of the Father.

It is rhetorical to say we all battle with issues of the mind. It is absolutely true that Christ-followers have the capacity to make our thoughts obedient to Christ. The challenge is, are we willing to offer those mind invasions back to the Father and trust Him for the results?

Isaiah 26:3 is more than a wish. It is a promise. Believe it!

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

My heart tells me that you (like me) battle unwanted guests that penetrate your mind. My logic tells me that most people just let the errant thoughts run rampant. My emotions tell me that not taking thoughts captive is incredibly dangerous. My Father’s Word tells me that believers can take every thought captive to obey Christ. My question is … will we?