mind — Blog — The Renewal Project

When we moved into our house, we installed a fence around our backyard. The main reason for the fence was our big fluffy Labradoodle Darcy. She spent her first three years on a farm with many acres to explore. Her love of exploring didn’t disappear when she joined our family. On the occasions that she escaped our house or yard, she would race joyfully around the neighborhood looking for new friends and fresh scents, eventually returning home exhausted but happy for the adventure.

In addition to keeping Darcy in, another reason for the fence was to keep critters out that didn’t belong in our yard.

In the perimeter of the fence, we installed three gates. The gates were essential for mowing and moving lawn equipment and building supplies from one area to another. As sturdy and solid as the fence was, if a gate was left open, the fence was useless, and Darcy once again ran the neighborhood.

What about fences in our lives? Fences or boundaries are a good thing. When placed properly, they provide security and protection. Keeping what belongs to us safe and secure, and keeping out things that don’t belong.

In addition to external physical gates, each one of us also has an internal gate. It’s called our mind. When functioning as designed, we allow the good things in and keep the harmful things out. We are the only ones that have control of the gate of our minds. We get to choose what we allow in.

Negative thoughts? In or out?

Words of affirmation? In or out?

Lies about who we are? In or out?

Godly wisdom? In or out?

Every one of us has experienced words or actions against us. They can be hurtful and cause wounds. Not minimizing the effects of trauma or abuse in any way, we get to choose what kind of internal dialogue we allow to occupy our mind.

We are instructed in the Bible (2 Corinthians 10:5) to take every thought captive. What does that mean? I like to think of it this way: Every thought must stop at our mind’s gate. Godly thoughts that line up with God’s Word and His character, they are allowed passage. Thoughts that do not line up with God’s Word and His character, no admittance allowed.

Being intentional with our thought life enables us to focus on what is true and right. We know that we have a spiritual enemy that seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. He doesn’t want us to be at peace or live with hope and joy. He wants us to focus on our shortcomings and let our weaknesses define us. When we are mindful of those things, we will make all thoughts stop at the gate and then only allow entrance of thoughts worthy of our mind’s attention, rejecting the lies and noise of the enemy.

God speaks to us with love, grace, and mercy. He is good. He has good plans for us. He offers hope and peace. Let His words pass through the gate of your mind and fill you with encouragement and joy. Just as we train our physical bodies for tasks, we must also train our minds. Start today by taking each thought captive. Let the Godly ones in. Reject the ungodly ones.

Joy McLaughlin

As a co-founder of The Renewal Project, one of Joy's greatest passions is to help others walk in freedom, joy, and hope. When she is not ministering to others, she also enjoys writing, hiking, and spending time with her family and friends.