Are you living in a cycle of toxic thoughts? The truth is, our brains can be a battlefield at times. However, you don’t need to submit to negative thought patterns. When anxiety, fear and depression hit, you actually can have the victory. Throughout the New Testament, the Apostle Paul teaches us that there is a renewal process for our minds. We really can retrain our brains away from toxic thoughts to meditate on positive patterns that give life.

3 STEPS TO TAKE TOWARD HEALING

Today, we're highlighting 3 practices we can use to train our brains and, ultimately, change our lives. It may take time and it won’t be easy, but when you follow this biblical process, you will create new thought patterns that God will use to renew your mind and transform your life.

#1: REPLACE YOUR RUT

How many of us are guilty of making decisions that make no sense? Probably all of us, at some point. Why do we often make irrational decisions? In Craig Groeschel's book "Winning the War in Your Mind" we learn about the incredible work God did to transform the Apostle Paul's mind. God replaced Paul's rut of toxic negative thoughts with the truth.

In Phillipians 4:8 Paul sits imprisoned in cold dungeon - and if there was ever a place to spiral down with negative thinking, that would be the place! While his body may have suffered, he fixed his mind on that which is good, excellent, praiseworthy and pure. His mind was at ease despite his circumstances. Like Paul, we too can rise out of the rut by being intentional with our thoughts. Think instead on that which is noble and admirable- then, you'll be on the road to training your brain.

#2: DIG A TRENCH OF TRUTH WITH GOD'S WORD

When you replace your rut of negative thoughts, you need something else to go in it's place. So, replace your rut by digging a trench of truth with God's word. A trench is a wartime excavation that was used to protect soldiers against enemy fire. Trenches are still wartime tools today as we wage war with our thoughts. The trench of truth allows you to dig deeper into the ground soil of your heart with the word of God. Trenches are intentionally dug because they fix an existing problem. Contrarily, a rut lets you fall into the same series of thoughts that lead to the same behavior. So, strategically dig a trench by looking to God's word for the truth that sets you free.

#3: WRITE IT, THINK IT, PROFESS IT

It will take some time, and it may not be easy, but when you put in the time and effort to retrain your brain, it will be so worth it. As you create new thought patterns - your trenches of truth - God will renew your mind. When you change your thinking to meditate on God's truth, it will absolutely change your life. Your negative thought patterns gradually get replaced with the truth that sets you free. This matters because your life is always moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts. If you have a positive mind, how you experience your life will follow, despite your circumstances.

As you battle the war in your mind, remember that if you are in Christ, you have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead inside you. With that power, your thoughts can change. You are not a sum of your past mistakes, or your negative thoughts. Instead, you are a new creation in Christ! So, have the mind of Christ to correct your thoughts, using the word of God to direct your steps. Worry is not your master - and may God's peace dwell in your heart as you change your thinking to change your life!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

To keep learning through Liquid Church's Mastermind series, check out this additional content:

• Message: How To Renew Your Mind. Your mind is a battlefield between Satan’s lies to you… and God’s Truth about you. Learn how to demolish strongholds and take every thought captive to Christ! Click here to watch.