{"id":4593,"date":"2013-04-18T09:15:07","date_gmt":"2013-04-18T13:15:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/doinglifetogether\/?p=4593"},"modified":"2013-04-18T09:15:07","modified_gmt":"2013-04-18T13:15:07","slug":"worried-thoughts-take-them-captive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/doinglifetogether\/2013\/04\/worried-thoughts-take-them-captive.html","title":{"rendered":"Worried Thoughts? Take Them Captive"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>NEGATIVE THOUGHTS =WORRY=HABIT<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0Every day now, I hear so much on media that could make me worry all day long! We live in uncertain times, but are not supposed to worry.<\/p>\n

Worry is a mental habit and is cued by automatic negative thoughts. When negative thoughts are not dealt with, they develop into a worry habit. For example, a negative thought runs through your head, “What if a bomb explodes in my city?’<\/em> If you decide to dwell on that thought, it becomes worry.<\/p>\n

To break the worry habit, as soon as you identify the worried thought, answer it with a more reasonable thought.<\/p>\n

For example, “Any city is a target for terrorism but there is no way to control this so I will live my life trusting God to watch out for me. My life is in His hand anyway.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

In other words, counter the worried thought with the confidence that you can handle the uncertainty or problem when or if it arises. And even if that is difficult, tell yourself, that the thought might be scary, but God will help you deal with whatever comes–that is His promise to you.<\/p>\n

2 Corinthians 10:5 teaches us to take thoughts captive. This means not allowing our thoughts to wander in worried waters. We confine our thoughts to the truth or the reality of the situation. So when that worried thought comes to your mind, check that thought with the mind of Christ.<\/p>\n

Is the thought in line with God’s Word?<\/p>\n

Is it reasonable for the moment?<\/p>\n

Is the thought based on anything real \u00a0or only what I can imagine?<\/p>\n

Am I assuming the worst?<\/p>\n

Putting it all together, it looks like this:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The \u00a0worried thought comes into my mind.<\/p>\n

I grab it and take it captive.<\/p>\n

I control where it goes and take it to Christ, His Word and make it true or more reasonable.<\/p>\n

Then, I let it go!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For more help with letting go of worry, click on the book cover above.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

NEGATIVE THOUGHTS =WORRY=HABIT \u00a0Every day now, I hear so much on media that could make me worry all day long! We live in uncertain times, but are not supposed to worry. Worry is a mental habit and is cued by automatic negative thoughts. When negative thoughts are not dealt with, they develop into a worry…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":419,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[916],"tags":[135,1695,304,137,593,2195,2196,134],"class_list":["post-4593","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-god-relationship","tag-anxiety","tag-anxious-thoughts","tag-depression","tag-fear","tag-letting-go-of-worry","tag-racing-mind","tag-terrorist-attacks","tag-worry"],"yoast_head":"\nWorried Thoughts? 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