25 Years of Changed Minds: Happy Birthday Battlefield of the Mind

When I look back over the past 25 years, I am truly amazed at how God has used my book Battlefield of the Mind to help so many people. It is truly a testament to the power of His Word to transform our lives!

Like most of my teachings, Battlefield of the Mind was birthed out of my own personal experiences and the lessons God taught me. For many years, I had no idea how much my thoughts affected every area of my life—my words, moods, attitudes, actions, and even my relationships.

To put it mildly, I used to be an extremely negative person. I often say that if I thought two positive thoughts in a row, my brain got into a cramp! I wasn’t really sure why people didn’t like being around me, but it’s very clear to me now—my negative attitude was preventing me from developing good relationships.

My husband, Dave, on the other hand, has always been an extremely positive and hopeful person. He actually goes out of his way to cheer people up who seem like they’re having a bad day.

For a while, this annoyed me—I was too grumpy to be amused by someone who was so happy and joyful all the time! However, in time, his joyful, positive attitude made me want to be like him. I wanted to see life the way he did. I wanted people to be glad to see me coming—not hide and think, Oh no, not her again.

Thankfully, over the years, God was able to take someone as negative as I was and transform me into someone extremely positive, and it all began with renewing my mind with His Word. God helped me to understand that the battlefield was in my mind!

It’s Time to Renew Your Mind

Romans 12:2 was a life-changing scripture for me. It says, Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (NIV).

The Bible isn’t just another “good book.” God’s Word is alive, and it has the ability to change our thoughts, motives and desires (Hebrews 4:12). As we fill our minds with His Word, we begin to think like God thinks. These positive, faith-filled thoughts then flow through our words and attitudes to the people around us.

I believe many times we come at it the wrong way. We try to be kind, sweet and loving, but we don’t change our thinking, so we end up frustrated because our behavior doesn’t change. I was stuck in this rut for years until God helped me understand this principle: right action follows right thinking.

Proverbs 23:7 says, For as he thinks in his heart, so is he...(AMP). I often say it this way: “Where the mind goes, the man follows.” It is very difficult (if not impossible) for us to be kind and friendly to people if we think evil thoughts about them when they’re not around. We might try to fake it, but most people will realize that something just isn’t right!

It Begins with a Thought

Jesus said, “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad…” (Matthew 12:33 ESV).

The same is true of our lives. Everything begins with a thought. If we allow negative, unkind thoughts to fill our minds, they will produce bad, negative fruit. However, the more we read God’s Word and open ourselves up to the Holy Spirit’s positive and loving thoughts, the more kind and loving we will be with others.

I can’t tell you how much I needed this message. When I encounter people, I want my attitude to add to their joy. I want to truly love others with a sincere heart and be a source of encouragement in their lives. And it all begins with our thoughts.

Maybe you are where I was years ago. If you realize you are negative, the greatest thing you can do is ask the Lord to begin changing you. Begin renewing your mind with God’s Word and allow Him to help you become positive in your thoughts, words and attitudes.

As you do, you will begin to strengthen your relationships and become a person others want to hang around.