Demolishing Negative Thought Patterns

Some time ago, we took a trip to the Caribbeans.  Our flight was to depart from an airport that was about three hours away.  Though we tried to be strategic, due to unforeseen circumstances we found ourselves running late.  My husband and I were unusually stressed.  Despite the fact that we did everything we could, we still missed our flight.  

Now we brushed it off and just took the next flight.  But since, everytime we have to fly, our daughter gets unusually anxious.  She repeatedly asks if we are going to miss our flight.  It doesn't matter how much time we give ourselves and how much we assure her we will be okay; her behavior remains the same.  She can’t help but worry.

The Bible calls this a type of stronghold.  

Strongholds are harmful thought patterns from the world we experience that have left a lasting impression on our hearts and minds.  These experiences from the past shape the way we think and act.  In my daughter's case, it was just one negative experience.  

They all lose heart; they come trembling from their strongholds…(Ps. 18:45 NIV)

 

The word stronghold has also been previously referred to as “prison”.

In a way, the individual becomes prisoner to a negative thought pattern.  They can’t help but feel a threat, though in reality no threat is present.  

Our soul’s enemy is on a mission to establish such strongholds in our minds.  Thus, he can make us fear, tremble, and lose heart.  He wants to keep us prisoner to negative thinking.  

The word of God is so powerful however, it tears down and demolishes such strongholds. 

The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.  

Thoughts previously captive to negative thinking are now rescued and taken captive to obey Christ.  They submit and now become “prisoners” of positive thinking.  

But the LORD has become my stronghold,.... (Ps.94:22 BSB)

The more exposure we have to his word, the more we replace negative thought patterns with positive ones.  God wants to take us to a place where the enemy has no  strongholds in our hearts and minds.

I will…tear down all your strongholds… (Mi. 4:12 NIV)

…for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me… (John 14:30 NIV)

Supporting Texts

I have put my words in your mouth…I appoint you … to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant… (Je. 1:9-10)

…you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. (Ps.8:2)

When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion, We were like those who dream.  Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”  (Ps. 126:2)