I’m excited to introduce a special guest and her writing to you today! Kelly Balarie is a master encourager and a passionate writer and speaker about God’s truths. She knows the power of God’s truth for the heart, soul, and mind and since we are all about turning toward truth and grace here, I want to share her writing with you. I also want you to know that her new book, Take Every Thought Captive, is being released today! As you read Kelly’s post below, will you ask yourself along with me, “Am I overcoming defeatist thoughts?”
Overcoming Defeatist Thoughts, by Kelly Balarie
I could hear the laughs of the other girls about 10 feet away from me. They were having fun. I was alone. They were jumping up and down over the rope. I was sitting on the curb of the playground tarmac. They knew they were loved. I felt unlovable and unworthy.
Looking back at myself, sitting on that curb, I wish I could have told young-Kelly: “Kelly, get up and go over there. They probably don’t dislike you as much as your mind has convinced you.”
Often, our mind tells us lies that keep us out of real life, deep relationship, and true purpose and calling. Our mind tells us things that keep us out of courage and far from breakthrough.
We say, “I’m not good enough.”
We think, “No one likes me.”
We decide, “People don’t care what I have to say.”
We figure, “I’ll always be stuck.”
We proclaim, “I will always have this horrible habit.”
But, I’d venture to say – when looking back at myself, that child all by herself – I disqualified myself more than even those girls ever did. Looking back, I think it was my self-doubt, fear and insecurity that kept me on that curb, more than it ever was their actions.
Today, if my kids were in my shoes, I’d tell them something like, “Don’t count yourself out! Get in the game.”
How many of us have counted ourselves out due to our own mindset, figuring, or feelings? It is so easy to do, isn’t it? Only we know the deep doubt that exists in our own mind.
I’m not enough. I’m too much. I’m not liked. I’m not as talented as ____.
Our mind tells us one thing, even when God’s Word wholly proclaims another.
God’s Word says:
- We are chosen.
- We are God’s masterpiece.
- He does not put to shame those who trust in Him.
- He knows and cares about our every thought.
- He has a purpose for our life.
- He will equip us with all we need for godliness and righteousness in Christ Jesus.
- Greater is He than anything else that comes at us from the world.
What voice do we submit to? What voice is winning in our mind? Is it the voice of life and truth or that of the flesh or the enemy? One leads to life, the others lead to death.
When we submit, yield, and are led by the Spirit, we become filled with the fruit of His Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
How do we do this when the patterns of our minds have been formed over decades upon decades? When neural pathways have created ruts and ways of thinking that are difficult to overcome?
The Word of God shows us the way:
“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.” (Ro. 12:2 NIV)
Only when we do not conform to the world, but allow the Word of God to transform our mind – will our mind begin to be renewed.
I do this in a variety of ways:
- I pray God’s Word in my life.
- I declare God’s truth.
- I aim to use the 2-step methodology in the book “Take Every Thought Captive” to renew my mind when misaligned thoughts come in.
Don’t let your thoughts dictate your life any longer. Don’t discount yourself. Get back in the game!
Prayer: Father, help me to believe I am who you say I am. More than looking at what is happening to me, help me to see what you are doing in me. More than I look at what is happening around me, help me to believe you –as the God who is for me. Grow me in trust and in faith of you. Help my unbelief. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
About the Book, “Take Every Thought Captive”
In Take Every Thought Captive: Exchange Lies of the Enemy for the Mind of Christ, author and speaker Kelly Balarie encourages readers to seize the power of God’s Word to not only profess truth, but possess it in their mind, heart, and actions.
Take Every Thought Captive helps readers:
∙ transform their minds and release the worries, burdens, and lies from the enemy
∙ pray through times of mental and emotional strife
∙ become warriors and fight for God’s plan and purpose
∙ use God’s Word proactively instead of living defensively and defeated
For prayers, scriptural encouragement and a Take Every Thought Captive Worksheet, visit: www.ITakeThoughtsCaptive.com
About Kelly Balarie:
Get all of Kelly’s blog posts by email! Kelly Balarie, author (Battle Ready, Rest Now,
Take Every Thought Captive), speaker, and blogger, delights in joining hands with
women as they go through life’s ups and downs. To see God move to revive hearts, to
restore relationships, and to bring hope to weary souls are highlight moments for
Kelly. Beyond this, Kelly has led spiritual growth Bible study groups and has been
seen on TODAY, The 700 Club, Crosswalk.com, iBelieve.com, and (in)courage. Her
work has also been featured by Relevant and Today’s Christian Woman. She
lives with her husband and two kiddos on the East Coast.
Linking up with these awesome bloggers this week!
