Battlefield of The Mind

11 July

There’s a story I often come back to, it’s simple, but it speaks volumes. When a baby elephant is born into captivity, its trainers tie one of its legs to a heavy rope, anchored firmly into the ground by a solid stake. Naturally, the elephant resists. It pulls with all its might. It strains and fights, trying to break free. But it’s too small, too weak, and no matter how hard it tries, it can’t escape.

Eventually, after countless failed attempts, it stops trying. That decision, made in frustration and defeat, becomes deeply embedded. The elephant learns a powerful, limiting belief: “I can’t get free.”

Fast forward years later. The elephant is now fully grown, strong enough to break down walls or uproot trees. But it doesn’t realise its strength. Because in its mind, it's still bound. And so, even though the only thing tethering it now is a small rope, the elephant remains still. Not because it’s trapped… but because it believes it is.

The truth is a lie is as powerful as the truth if you believe it.

We’re not always being held back by our current circumstances, but by the lies we believe. By inner vows we made after rejection. By the distortions we absorbed through trauma. By words spoken over us in childhood or failure we’ve never quite recovered from.

Some of the most intense battles you will ever fight won’t be against other people. They will be against your own thoughts.

That’s why Scripture says in Proverbs 23:7: “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”

What you think about yourself, others, your future, your past, and even about God, shapes the entire trajectory of your life. And yet, most of us go through our days unaware that many of our thoughts, especially the loudest, most convincing ones, aren’t even true.

Your Life Moves in the Direction of Your Thoughts

Romans 8:6 puts it plainly: “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”

If your thoughts are filled with fear, comparison, shame, or self-doubt, your life will reflect it. Your relationships will carry the weight of it. Your dreams will shrink under the burden of it.

But when your thoughts are led by the Spirit, anchored in truth, you begin to walk in confidence, peace, and purpose, even when the storm rages around you.

That’s why Paul urges us in Romans 12:2:“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

But what does renewing your mind actually look like? Let’s look at four foundational steps.

1. Become Aware of Your Thoughts

Awareness is the first act of spiritual warfare.

We often assume that our thoughts are just… thoughts. Harmless. Passive. But thoughts shape your emotions, your decisions, your relationships, and even your theology.

Psychologist Dr. Caroline Leaf says: “You are not a victim of your biology. You are a victor over your thoughts.”

Psychology has a name for distorted thoughts: cognitive distortions.

Cognitive Distortions are are unhelpful thinking patterns that quietly shape how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us.

They often feel true, but they’re not. And if left unchecked, they can lead to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relational conflict, and even spiritual disconnection.

Here are a few common ones to look out for:

1. Mind Reading

Looks like assuming you know what someone else is thinking, usually something negative.
“She didn’t say hi. I must’ve upset her.”
“They’re probably judging me.”

You’re interpreting silence, a facial expression, or a text delay as a definite judgment. But the truth is, you don’t have all the information. You’re filling in the blanks with fear instead of facts.

2. Jumping to Conclusions

Looks like making negative assumptions without real evidence.

“They didn’t respond. They must not like me.”
“That opportunity didn’t happen—so clearly, I’m not called.”

This kind of thinking draws conclusions before the story is even fully written. It rushes to worst-case scenarios and leaves no room for grace, nuance, or growth.

3. Catastrophising

Looks like exaggerating problems and imagining disaster.

“If I mess this up, I’ll ruin everything.”
“If this relationship ends, I’ll never be happy again.”

4. Emotional Reasoning

Looks liks believing something is true simply because it feels true.

“I feel rejected, so I must be.”
“I feel like God is distant, so He must not care.”

Feelings are valid, but they’re not always accurate. They’re indicators, not dictators. Just because something feels true doesn’t mean it is true.

5. Black-and-White Thinking (All-or-Nothing Thinking)

Looks like seeing situations in extremes, everything is either all good or all bad.

“If I can’t do it perfectly, I shouldn’t try at all.”
“If they disagree with me, they must not love me.”

This distortion leaves no room for the in-between—for process, grace, or growth. It’s either a total win or a complete failure. But real life is full of grey zones where God is still at work.

6. Should Statements

Looks like placing unrealistic expectations or guilt on yourself or others.

“I should be over this by now.”
“They should know how I feel.”

“Should” creates pressure. It drives shame, fuels comparison, and keeps us stuck in frustration. It’s based on perfection, not progress—and God is far more interested in your direction than your perfection.

7. Personalisation

Looks like taking responsibility for things outside your control.

“My friend is upset—what did I do wrong?”
“My child is struggling. I must’ve failed as a parent.”

Once you begin to identify these patterns, you can interrupt them.

Because awareness is the first step to transformation.

As Dr. Caroline Leaf says: “You can’t change what you’re not aware of. But once you become aware, you’re empowered to choose differently.”

2. Challenge the Lies

Here’s a simple framework to challenge toxic thoughts:

Is it true?
Is it helpful?
Is it from God?
What does Scripture say?
What would I say to a friend thinking this?

Not every thought deserves your agreement. That’s why Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:5: “We take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.”

The Message puts it this way: “We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies… fitting every loose thought and emotion into the structure of life shaped by Christ.”

You don’t fight lies with feelings. You fight lies with the truth.

3. Fill Your Mind with Truth

The best way to spot a counterfeit is to study the real thing. The same is true with thoughts. The more familiar you are with God’s voice, the easier it is to recognise when something isn’t Him.

Ephesians 5:26 says that Christ cleanses us “by the washing of water with the Word.” His Word has power—not just to inspire—but to renew.

Philippians 4:8 gives us a filter for our thinking: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure… think about such things.”

When your mind is filled with truth, lies can’t settle in for long.

Author Jennie Allen writes: “The greatest spiritual battle of our generation is being fought between our ears.” —Get Out of Your Head

What you feed your mind matters. The Bible is not just a book to read, it’s a mirror, a sword, and a lifeline. Read it daily. Declare it aloud. Memorise it. Let it form you.

4. Receive Prayer & Ministry

Sometimes, the breakthrough you need isn’t just mental, it’s spiritual.

There are moments where you’ve done all the journaling and reflection you can, but you still feel stuck. That’s when prayer, deliverance, and community can make all the difference.

James 5:16 says:“Confess your sins to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”

And Isaiah 26:3 promises:“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

You weren’t designed to do this alone. Sometimes the healing comes when someone else helps you carry it. Sometimes freedom begins when someone prays what you couldn’t put into words.

It’s time to reclaim your mind. To stand on God’s truth. To break free from the lie that says you never could. Because the real elephant in the room isn’t your weakness, it’s the untapped power of Christ within you, ready to renew your mind and lead you into lasting freedom.

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