Take Control Of Your Thoughts: How Moms Can Walk In Victory In Their Minds

Are you anxious? Do you wrestle with fears – rational or irrational? Do you obsess? Are you depressed?

Do you feel like a slave to your thoughts?

We as Moms can struggle. In ways no one else sees, things can feel hard and out of control. We might feel anxious, depressed, or bitter, and we think there’s no way out.

We try to numb our negative emotions. We try to hide from that which inspires fear. And yet we don’t fix the problem. In fact, we find that the problems only multiply. The discomfort simply grows. And we are stuck in a pit.

Mama, if this is you, know that you’re not alone.

And even more importantly, you don’t have to stay in that pit. Things can heal. You can change.

You can have peace once again.

How To Have Victory In Your Thoughts.

The enemy of our souls wants to steal, kill, and destroy. He wants to steal our peace, kill our witness, and destroy our relationships. He is a liar, a murderer, and a deceiver. He dresses up in sheep’s clothing and poses as an angel of light. His way seems right, even godly sometimes, and yet its end is the way to death. He is our adversary.

But he doesn’t win.

2,000 years ago, a man was nailed to a tree. He was the Only One who could defeat this enemy for you. And He did.

He lived, died, rose, and ascended…for you. He intercedes for you. He has clothed you with His righteousness and taken your punishment.

Because of Him, you are not a slave to your mind.

But – you might say – I still feel like a slave to them. I still live all bound up. I’m still burdened by my fears.

Friend, let me share with you some truth.

1. We are not slaves to our thoughts.

2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”

The truth is that though you feel like a slave to your mind, you are not. In fact, you are called to the very opposite. Rather than being captive to your thoughts, they are to be captive to you.

God created us to take dominion (Gen. 1:28). He always provides a way of escaping sin (1 Cor. 10:13), and when we are children of God, He sets us free (Jn. 8:35-36).

2. We are called to take our thoughts captive.

Rather than being a slave to our thoughts, we actually are to take them captive. They are quite literally a slave to us.

Have you ever thought about it that way?

We are not at the mercy of every passing idea, thought, or feeling. Rather, we have agency.

Now, please hear me. There are times and situations where medical help is needed. There are times when people can’t control their thoughts, because they’re actually sick. But in general, for most people, they can control them. They can choose to entertain what is true and dismiss what is not. They can set their minds on things above and ignore what is unhelpful and unkind.

We are to take our thoughts hostage. When something comes to mind, we can ask ourselves questions like: Is this thought true? Is it honorable or pure (Phil. 4:8). Just because we’re thinking something doesn’t make it true or worthy of our focus. We need to stop believing everything we think. Our minds are not infallible.

3. We make our thoughts obedient to Christ.

Now that we’ve taken our thoughts captive, what do we do with them?

We bow them to Christ. We submit our minds to Him.

If what we’re thinking isn’t obedient to Jesus, we make it so.

What does that look like?

It means filling our minds with God’s Word. We might read, listen, and memorize it. We meditate on it throughout our day. We can think on it as we wash dishes, fold laundry, and play with our kids.

It means rejecting untrue thoughts and thinking rightly about situations.

It means setting our minds on the character of God. He is good, sovereign, and just.

It means enjoying and being thankful for God’s good gifts like our kids, our husband, our homes, good food, and the great outdoors.

It means trusting God instead of living in fear (Ps. 56:3).

It means focusing on others more than ourselves. Often the root of my sin is self-focus, but God’s Word teaches us that when we serve others we will be nourished ourselves.

Proverbs 11:25 says, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”

Friend, the battle in our mind is so real. Our burdens can feel heavy and our fears can be strong.

And yet, God has already won.

This isn’t about doing it perfectly. I definitely don’t do it perfectly.

But God sees your tears. He has put them in His bottle (Ps. 56:8). He knows you completely, better than you know yourself. And He loves you more than anyone else ever could. He is your Refuge.

FAQ About Taking Thoughts Captive

1. Why is it so hard to take our thoughts captive?

One reason I struggle to do this is I forget that my thoughts are not always accurate. My brain misfires. I can think untrue, unhelpful things for a variety of reasons. And I sometimes don’t remember that.

2. What is a good passage of Scripture to memorize?

I absolutely love 1 Peter 1. It is full of Gospel truth, and it is such a well of refreshment for my mind.

I also love the Psalms. They are especially comforting for those who are in pain and sorrowful. The Psalms are a great example of pouring one’s heart out to Christ and setting our minds on His character.