³ For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.⁴ The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 
2 Corinthians 10:3-4

According to the National Science Federation, the average person has between 12,000 and 60,000 thoughts a day.Of those, 80% are negative and 95% are repetitive.You may be thinking, “that can’t be right.Nope, that can’t be right.”See what I mean?!?
 
Let’s do a little more math.Say we have 12,000 thoughts a day… that means 9600 negative thoughts a day.So, essentially, that is one negative thought every 6 seconds of your waking day.Something needs to change.
 
I am not a glass half full kind of guy.But I also know the damage that negative self-talk has on my mental health.Am I resigned to live the rest of my days with negativity running the show?It doesn’t have to be this way for me or for you.We don’t have to let our circumstances dictate our emotions or response.
 
In 2 Corinthians, Paul is referring to the strongholds held by others he comes in contact with as he shares the Good News.He is able to demolish their broken way of thinking with divine power.Images of the armor of God immediately come to my mind – the belt of truth, the sword of the Spirit, the gospel shoes of peace, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, and the breastplate of righteousness – as Paul prepares for battle.
 
Paul says we do not wage war as the world does.And I think of the battle that rages inside me.My strongholds are meant to keep me trapped.They are meant to hold me back.So, my fight isn’t with the person next to me… it’s with me.
 
If I am to even have a shot at conquering the 80% negativity rate currently happening in my head, I have to take every thought captive.I have to tell a better story.If I fill my heart with words of truth, hope and love, there isn’t much room for anger, bitterness, and despair.If I “hide His words in my heart” (Psalm 119:11) then I will be ready and willing to demolish shame, guilt, and condemnation.The Lord is making something new in the midst of the rubble.But there is always action on our part as the Holy Spirit moves in our hearts.
 
Do you want to be healed?It’s a question Jesus asked.And, while it seems like common sense, it’s not as easy of an answer as one would think.Do you want to change your thinking?If you do, put on the armor of God, put His word inside your heart, and take every thought captive.This battle will not be won in a day, but it will be won.There is victory in Jesus.See the end of our story as Christians for what it is, hope everlasting.

Soli Deo Gloria!
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