This week our family participated in our church’s Vacation Bible School. The focus verse for the week is found in Romans 12:2. As I studied the passage to prepare for teaching the 3rd graders, the Lord brought this life lesson to my mind. It’s amazing to see how much He has grown me in healthy thought patterns over the last 6 years. Read on to see how the Holy Spirit taught me to “lassoing away unhealthy thoughts.”
How often as parents do we hear our children rehashing a hurtful thing someone has said to them? It’s like the words repeat on a billboard across their brains, relentlessly reminding them of what was said.
About six years ago, I felt stuck remembering unhealthy statements someone said to me. For about 6 months, these thoughts relentlessly ran through my mind multiple times a day. When I was sleeping, it would be a part of my dreams. I would hash and rehash conversations, hoping that I could formulate a conversation to turn the tide for the better to help this other person. When I was doing chores or getting ready for the day, these statements would pop back into my brain like an annoying mosquito that just wouldn’t leave no matter how many times I tried to swat it away. I second guessed every encounter and decision that I made that related to this person. Even though I knew deep down this person’s choices weren’t my fault, I tried to uncover what I could do to positively impact the situation.
One day as I was praying, I begged the Lord to teach me how to stop the unhealthy and unhelpful statements from resurfacing. All of a sudden, it was like the Holy Spirit lovingly, yet firmly, impressed this image in my mind:
- Reach out and grab a hold of these untrue statements.
- Throw a lasso (yes, a cowgirl lasso) around those words.
- Fling those words as far as you can, and don’t look back at them.
I don’t know about you, but when the Holy Spirit impresses something on my heart, I feel compelled to do it, even if it feels a bit strange. As I lassoed these statements and mentally threw those words away, for the first time in months I experienced peace. The weight of those untrue words no longer burdened me. As the Holy Spirit’s peace descended on me, He next impressed on my mind the next step: think a new thought to replace the untrue statements.
My new thoughts were: The only person I can control is me. I am going to make Christ honoring, life-giving choices that bring me peace even if others choose differently.
From that moment forward when these untrue statements started to try to resurface, I created a new pattern in my brain that intercepted those thoughts and developed a stronger cycle of remembering what was actually true.
Without fully releasing this at the time, the Holy Spirit taught me how to put two passages of scripture that I memorized many years ago as a child into real life practice:
- 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
One of the reasons these pesky statements kept resurfacing in my brain was the fact that Satan has come to steal, kill, and destroy. If he couldn’t attack me physically, because of the firm boundaries I had put into place, then his next best battle move would be to attack my thoughts. When we lasso those unhealthy thoughts, we are taking these thoughts captive. These thoughts become powerless.
- Romans 12:2 ESV “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Instead of being trapped by unhealthy patterns of thoughts, we can replace the lies with truth. In this process, the Lord literally rewires our brains. We as moms and our children do not have to be stuck in patterns of false thoughts or beliefs. God through the Bible and the power of the Holy Spirit renews our thoughts to match His thoughts.
Friend, I don’t know how many times you have found yourself trying to transform your thoughts or empower your children to do the same? As people who have words of affirmation as a strong love language, words can stick with us for a long period of time. Being intentional about what we allow our minds to dwell on makes a huge difference in our mental and spiritual health.
The next time you start hearing an unhealthy condemnation try to pop up, ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to channel your inner cowgirl and lasso that thought away. Then, “lasso in” a true thought to replace the lies. God doesn’t want our minds to feel overrun by outlaws like the Wild West. Instead let’s experience peace like a gentle stream that only He can provide.
Experiencing God's Glory through Unique Children 
Being intentional. So important. The Philips’s translation of Romans 12:2 gives a great picture of what we must resist: “Do not let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold.” That’s what the general culture is trying to do. Thanks for reminding us of how we can resist: by the renewing of our minds. (And I love the shirts!)
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Lisa,
Thank you for sharing this powerful translation from Philips. “Squeeze you into its own mold” is a great mental picture to the idea of conforming. This image will stick with me!
I agree-this year’s VBS shirts turned out great!
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Very encouraging words Kallie. Our mind and thought process are very power. It can influence each area of our life. I believe that is why we are encouraged to put on the Helmet of Salvation. We are to set your minds on things above, not on earthly things, as Col 3:2 says. Plus, you echo it on your lovely T-shirts and in this blog post, “Do not conform….but be transformed…” I like to view it as soaking my mind in the saving blood of Jesus Christ. Thank you for sharing.
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Gospel, thank you for your encouragement and for your excellent connection with the helmet of salvation. I hadn’t thought about that connection between those passages before. This imagery will really stick with me!
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