By Craig Groeschel
Our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts. What we think shapes who we are.
So you might read that and think I’m being an overly dramatic preacher using hyperbole to get your attention. But this is no exaggeration. Our lives do follow the direction of our thoughts. The better we grasp that truth, the better equipped we’ll be to change the trajectory of our lives. But don’t take my word for it. Both the Bible and modern science provide evidence that this is true. So throughout this book, we’ll unpack both Scripture and what we’ve learned from scientific research. Here’s a brief example of both:
In Philippians 4:8–9, the apostle Paul writes, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
In these three sentences Paul moves from
- thought (“think about such things”) to
- action (“put it into practice”) to
- experience (“the God of peace will be with you”).
Paul tells us that our thoughts shape our lives.
In recent years, an entire discipline of modern psychology has developed called cognitive behavioral therapy. This breakthrough teaching reveals that many problems, from eating disorders to relational challenges, addictions, and even some forms of depression and anxiety, are rooted in faulty and negative patterns of thinking. Treating those problems begins with changing that thinking.
I don’t know about you, but when the Bible and modern psychology say the same thing, I want to know more.
Time to Change Your Mind?
In ten years, we will each look in the mirror, and someone will stare back. That person will be shaped by the thoughts of today.
The life we have is a reflection of what we think.
That’s a crazy thought, right? What we think will determine who we become tomorrow. And even crazier, we probably don’t even realize that’s happening! We don’t think about the power of our thoughts, which only makes them that much more powerful. But God made us this way. What science is demonstrating today is what God told us through Solomon almost three thousand years ago: “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Prov. 23:7 NKJV).
So if both the Bible and modern science teach us that our lives are moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts, then we need to ask ourselves, “Do I like the direction my thoughts are taking me?”
If your answer is no, then maybe it’s time to change your thinking. Decide to change your mind so God can change your life. If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, of having your life poisoned by toxic thoughts, of being held hostage by those inner voices, I want to encourage you to read Winning the War in Your Mind and stay open. Whether or not you consider yourself a Christian, I promise there are truths in these pages that will work if you put in some effort to apply them.
If you’re skeptical, that’s okay. Believe me, I get it. We’ve all tried unsuccessfully to change bad habits and force our runaway trains of thought back onto the right tracks. But this time you’re not alone. You are about to discover that God will team up with you to transform your thinking. And I’ll be your guide to walk with you as you start this journey.
With God’s help, you can transform your mind.
You can stop believing the lies that hold you back.
You can end the vicious cycle of thoughts that are destructive to you and others.
You can allow God to renew your mind by saturating you with his unchanging truth.
You can let his thoughts become your thoughts.
With that opportunity, let’s circle back to our opening statement: Our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts. What we think will shape who we become.
If you agree with that proposition—and remember, both the Bible and modern science say it’s true—then it’s time to change your thinking so God can change your life.
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Adapted from Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life by Craig Groeschel. Click here to learn more about this book.
Are your thoughts out of control—just like your life? Do you long to break free from the spiral of destructive thinking? Let God’s truth become your battle plan to win the war in your mind!
We’ve all tried to think our way out of bad habits and unhealthy thought patterns, only to find ourselves stuck with an out-of-control mind and off-track daily life. Pastor and New York Times bestselling author Craig Groeschel understands deeply this daily battle against self-doubt and negative thinking, and in this powerful new book he reveals the strategies he’s discovered to change your mind and your life for the long-term.
Drawing upon Scripture and the latest findings of brain science, Groeschel lays out practical strategies that will free you from the grip of harmful, destructive thinking and enable you to live the life of joy and peace that God intends you to live. Winning the War in Your Mind will help you:
- Learn how your brain works and see how to rewire it
- Identify the lies your enemy wants you to believe
- Recognize and short-circuit your mental triggers for destructive thinking
- See how prayer and praise will transform your mind
- Develop practices that allow God’s thoughts to become your thoughts
God has something better for your life than your old ways of thinking. It’s time to change your mind so God can change your life.
Craig Groeschel is a New York Times bestselling author and the founding and senior pastor of Life.Church, which created the free YouVersion Bible App and is one of the largest churches in the world. He has written more than fifteen books and hosts the Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast. He is the Summit Champion for the Global Leadership Network, which reaches hundreds of thousands of leaders around the world annually. Craig and his wife, Amy, live in Oklahoma. Connect with Craig at www.craiggroeschel.com.
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