Here is the devotional:
How we think directly affects how we live. This may sound terrifying, but, in fact, it’s exciting. Because while we may not be able to take every thought captive in every situation we face every day, we can learn to take one thought captive and, in doing so, affect every other thought to come. So what is the one thought that can successfully interrupt every negative thought pattern? It’s this: I have a choice.
When we’re spiraling in noise or distractedness, we have a choice to shift our minds back to God through stillness.
When we’re spiraling in isolation, we have a choice to shift our minds back to God through community.
When we’re spiraling in anxiety, we have a choice to shift our minds back to God through trust in His good and sovereign purposes.
When we’re spiraling in cynicism, we have a choice to shift our minds back to God through worship.
When we’re spiraling in self-importance, we have a choice to shift our minds back to God through humility.
When we’re spiraling into victimhood, we have a choice to shift our minds back to God through gratitude.
When we’re spiraling in complacency, we have a choice to shift our minds back to God through serving Him and others.
If you have trusted in Jesus as your Savior, you have a God-given, God-empowered, God-redeemed ability to choose what you think about. You have a choice regarding where you focus your energy. You have a choice regarding what you live for. You are not subject to your behaviors, genes, or circumstances. You are not subject to your passions, lusts, or emotions. You are not subject to your thoughts.
No fixation exists outside God’s long-armed reach. Because we are a “new creation,” we have a choice.
When we think new thoughts, we physically alter our brains.
When we think new thoughts, we make healthier neural connections.
When we think new thoughts, we blaze new trails.
When we think new thoughts, everything changes.
God, I choose today to take every thought captive because I know You are more powerful than my thoughts, my circumstances, and my fears. Thank You for making me a new creation so that I can choose You! Amen.
Here are the scriptures referenced:
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Matthew 19:26 KJV
Here are Stu’s thoughts:
When we think new thoughts we alter our brains!
We all have pathways in our brains. That’s what a habit looks like in your noggin.
Think of a field of tall grass. If you look closely you will see little pathways that the animals have made. And they use those pathways regularly.
Picture finding on old road in the middle of nowhere that is now covered with grass and maybe a few trees from lack of use over the years.
It’s the same with our brain.
When we choice to think on new things we forge new pathways in our brain. The longer we do this the more that pathway is engraved into our brain. The old pathways begin to wither.
But as the author said… IT’S A CHOICE.
When I tell men that their brain is fried from watching porn they really don’t believe me until I break it down for them. Then they begin to understand what I mean and the severity of it.
I tell them of new things to do instead of viewing porn when lonely, angry or can’t go to sleep which in turn forms a habit if they follow through.
So it is very possible to choose new thought patterns and I am living proof of that one!
What thought patterns do you need to change in your life?
Something to Stu Over 
We absolutely do have a choice! We can take steps to change what we think, and even how we feel, and certainly how we act. Although the internal forces are powerful, we are still in control of our own lives.
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I like your nature analogies with the paths! Excellent.
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Thank you😊
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