Mind Control - You DO Have A Choice

"I Just Can't Stop Thinking About..."

Have you ever heard someone say this? Have you ever said it?

When this phrase is used in a good way, it usually means you're excited about something that's coming up. Or maybe there's something (or someone) new in your life that makes you happy - and so is constantly on your mind. (For example, even now I cannot stop thinking about my gorgeous wife!)
In times like these, we aren't usually bothered when our minds wander back to those thoughts over and over again...although those around us may get tired of hearing us talk about it!

Unfortunately, this statement is not always used a good thing. There are times when people will say this same phrase in sorrow or anger or fear. 
It could be the loss of a loved one causing you to constantly think of how you miss them.
It could be the fear of a problem that you have no solution for.
It could be anger over what someone has done to you or said about you.
In times like these, the words "I can't stop thinking about it..." is a complaint, a cry for help.

I'm not even going to ask you if you've experienced this. We've all been there before. We've all wished thoughts like these would just go away...while being tormented by them relentlessly. 

But I do have good news for you today! If you're a believer in Jesus Christ, if your spirit has been born again, then you're not a slave to those thoughts anymore! Believe it or not, there is a way to break free from them now...

The Power To Obey

Do you remember when we learned about grace? Do you remember how faith and grace work together, giving you the power to obey God's commands? If you don't remember, or if you haven't read it yet, then let's quickly recap:

Hebrews 12:28 says this: "let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably..." 
1 Corinthians 15:10 says that God's grace "labors abundantly" within us.
Philippians 2:13 says that God works in us, both desiring and doing His will.
What this means is that God's grace goes far beyond forgiving our sins, and actually works inside us - giving us the power to obey Him. And according to Ephesians 2:8, that grace comes by faith. 

When we have faith in God's word, grace comes onto the scene.
God said, "You shall not lie."
Faith says, "Ok, I believe that You will give me the strength I need...I will not lie."
And then grace comes alongside us, and empowers us to be honest and truthful.

Think of it like this: remember when Jesus called Peter to walk on the water? Of course Peter didn't have the ability in himself to obey that command. But he believed in the word of the One that gave the command. And so by faith, Peter stepped out of the boat, and grace held him up! In the same way we have grace that empowers us to obey what God commands.

You may ask: "How does this apply to these thoughts that I can't stop thinking?" Listen to me friend...not only can you stop thinking them, you've been commanded to do so!

The same God who offers you grace, has given you a command: "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." (Philippians 4:8)

Can you see that this is a true command from your Lord? Can you see that He's clearly telling you what to think about? Now, combine this command with what we just learned:
God said, "Think this way."
Faith says, "OK, I believe that You will give me the strength I need...I will take control of my thoughts."
And then grace comes in and empowers us to control our minds!

Do you see the promise of freedom that is contained in this command?

It's YOUR Mind, Take Charge!

Colossians 3:2 - "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."

Look at this verse carefully, and notice how it's worded. It's YOUR mind we're talking about. YOU have the reigns...YOU decide what it's going to think about. If it feels like your thoughts have gotten out of control, that's because they have. You've let them get that way; and now you need to bring them back under control.

How do you do that?
You can find the answer in Matthew 6:31 - "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'"
You give life to your worrisome thoughts by saying them. Speaking out a fearful thought is just like setting a hook in a fish: as soon as it's on the hook, it's hard to get it back off.
Just like that, the moment you speak out a thought...it's going to be in your mind for a while.

The good news is, you can get "off the hook" in the same way - by the words that you say. If you want to get free from the fearful, angry, or sorrowful thoughts that are tormenting you; then you're going to have to get audible. When you feel like you're drowning in these thoughts...open your mouth and take control.

"NO! I will set my mind on things above!"
"NO! I will think about things that are true and honorable and right and pure!"

Speak out by faith, and allow the grace of God to do the work.
It's your mind...
It's God's command to think about what's right...
It's God's grace that works through you to serve Him...
...now take control!