Today’s post is an excerpt from my friend Chrystal Evans Hurst’s new book, She’s Still There. I love her down-to-earth approach explanation of how to take your thoughts captive. Don’t miss the giveaway at the end of the post!

When my kids were small, they always asked me to turn on a night-light before I left their rooms and close all the doors so the monsters wouldn’t come in. When I turned the light on, they weren’t as afraid. They could see there weren’t any monsters. The light enabled them to know their fears were unfounded and helped them to experience the freedom of thinking, feeling, and acting based on what was really true.

Now, you might be asking, “What do you mean by ‘turn on the light,’ and how do you do it?” First of all, coaching your thought life is something you can learn and get better at over time. Don’t sweat it if you aren’t good at it now. You can learn. You can grow.

The goal is to take thoughts that are negative, untrue, and destructive and replace them with thoughts that are affirming, true, and constructive. You do this by renewing your mind—transforming the way you think through ongoing acceptance of right thoughts based on what God says is true. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things” (NASB).

Let me show you how this works.

Let’s say I found myself thinking this way: “I will never be able to accomplish my dreams.”

That statement isn’t true. You can shine the light of God’s truth on that lie: “It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Phil. 2:13 NIV).

The truth is, as we follow God’s direction in our lives, He is the one who will do the work in us so we can fulfill His purposes for us and the desires He has placed in us. That takes the pressure off our having to figure it all out, now, doesn’t it?

Here’s another one: “I am not enough. I’m not equipped. I don’t belong.”

The truth is if God put you where you are and if pleasing Him is your aim, then you are enough, you are equipped, and you can have victory over what you face. Second Corinthians 2:14 says, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ” (NASB).

Let’s do one more together: “Since there is something wrong with my body because of illness or physical challenge, I don’t have the same value as others who have their health.”

The truth is you are more than your physical body. You have a unique soul, remember? God offers you the gift of the Spirit, which allows you to get better on the inside regardless of what is happening on the outside. Here’s the truth according to 2 Corinthians 4:16: “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day” (ESV).

If you don’t know the truths of Scripture, it’s your job to search them out. If you want to know what God thinks, you can discover His truth in the letter of love He’s provided for you to read. He has promised that when you look for Him, you will find Him: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13).

Search out the truth. Write down the verses or passages that speak to your heart, and you will change your incorrect patterns of thinking over time. Inundate yourself with the truth, and that truth will become a light that shines brighter than the dark thoughts that threaten to keep you from making progress. “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

Don’t be so busy staring into the darkness that you lose sight of the light. Even when the monster in your mind seems real and true, you must examine your thoughts in the light of God’s thoughts toward you, and then believe what He says. Even if you aren’t convinced, you still have to get up, cross the room, and turn on the light!

Your job now—and for the rest of your life—is to turn on the light in your mind, to embrace the truth, and to reject lies. Just because you think it, that doesn’t make it true. The truth is your weapon to war with the darkness that threatens to cloud your mind.

When you choose to think right thoughts, you battle against destructive patterns of thinking that threaten to keep the girl in you from emerging valiant and victorious.

In this life, there will be moments when you feel as if you have lost the ability to breathe. There will be times when you don’t know what to do. You may find yourself frozen and feel unable to move forward.

In those moments, you must choose to encourage yourself. Be your own coach. Learn to recognize the monster in your mind. Take note of destructive thoughts, then take them captive by shining on them the light of God’s truth.

What is one favorite truth from Scripture that gives you hope, stirs up joy, or motivates you to action? Leave a comment below and you’ll be entered to win a copy of She’s Still There!

In She’s Still There, Chrystal authentically shares, from one girlfriend to another, the importance of the personal process and the beauty of that path. It’s a book of “me toos,” reminders of the hoped for, and challenges for the path ahead—to find direction, purpose, and true satisfaction.

Purchase your copy here on Amazon or wherever books are sold!

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