Peace Is My Birthrightنموونە

It's kind of scary how quickly we can become trapped in downward mental spirals. The negative thoughts are automatic, and the smallest inconveniences push us over the edge. We linger on questions about the future, we aren't confident in our decision-­making skills, and we harp on everything we do wrong.

Breakthroughs come when we understand that peace and calm aren't contingent on our circumstances. Peace doesn't come from an absence of trial. It comes by making a conscious decision to take captive our thoughts each day. The moment we realize we're the ones who hold the power to claim what we think about, the direction of our lives changes.

If we want perfect peace, we must learn how to focus our minds on God. That's what God tells us in Isaiah 26:3: You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

What's interesting is that the translated word "mind" in this verse is not the usual Hebrew Word for intellect but rather is a word meaning "creative imagination."

Think about that for a moment. God isn't just talking about the logical, rational part of our minds. He's speaking to the deep, hidden places of our thoughts. The ones that create endless "what if" scenarios, fears, and anxieties.

Let's be honest: how often do we let our imaginations run wild?

We all have deep, dark thoughts that we don't dare speak to anyone. Our minds can quickly spiral down rabbit holes, convincing us of worst-case scenarios, flooding us with fear, and burdening us with thoughts we'd never dare speak aloud. And yet, God already knows them. But instead of condemning us, He invites us to cast our cares on Him.

When was the last time you had an honest conversation with God? Not surface-level prayers, but prayers where you admit your deepest fears, darkest thoughts and the worries you're almost too embarrassed to admit you even think. Jesus can handle them. He wants to take them from you.

Scripture tells us to cast our cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7) because He cares for us and to hold every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5). Before we can do this, we have to be aware of what we're actually thinking.

The First Step: Recognizing Your Thoughts

The first step to holding every thought captive is to be aware of our thoughts. We can't capture what we don't recognize. We must pause and take time to ask ourselves:

• What am I meditating on throughout the day?
• Am I allowing any fears, anxieties, or lies space in my brain?

The Next Step: Capturing and Casting Down

Once you identify a thought that doesn't align with God's truth, don't entertain it. Instead, take it captive. If the thought doesn't line up with God's will or God's Word, cast it down by surrendering it to Jesus. When a lie enters your mind, immediately bring it to Jesus, lay it at His feet, and declare His truth over the situation.

If you want peace, it starts with what you allow to live in your mind. You have authority over your thoughts. You don't have to be a prisoner to fear, anxiety, or discouragement. With Christ's help, you can take every thought captive and make it obedient to Him.

Ask Yourself:

• What thoughts am I tolerating that I need to surrender?
• What recurring thoughts threaten my peace?
• What biblical truth can I meditate on instead?