Turning Our Thoughts to Christ

Isaiah 26:3

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

Welcome, 🙂

I’m glad you joined me today. We all struggle with discouragement at times. Let’s take a few moments to consider how we can turn our thoughts toward Christ and find His peace in the midst of it.

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” — Isaiah 26:3

Discouragement

“Nothing can ever be accomplished for good in this frame of mind.” *

We all know what it is like to replay anxious thoughts, dwell on disappointments, or imagine the worst. Left unchecked, those thoughts can grow louder until they seem to define our day. Yet God has not left us without hope. He promises to keep in perfect peace those whose minds are fixed on Him (Isaiah 26:3). Rather than allowing our thoughts to control us, He calls us to bring them to Him.

I've found that it really is all about our attitude. When I allow discouraging thoughts to linger, they often grow into feelings of anger, anxiety, fear, sadness, or frustration. Discouraging thoughts can become part of the spiritual battle we face. The enemy delights in using them to draw our eyes away from Christ, while our own hearts are prone to wander if we are not walking closely with Him.

Paul reminds us that we are to be “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). This isn't simply positive thinking—it is, by God's grace, choosing to submit our minds to Christ and allow Him to shape our thinking.

So what is the answer?

It begins with turning our hearts toward the Lord and spending time in His presence.

Instead of dwelling on our worries, we are invited to bring them to Him.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 4:6–7

As we come before Him, we can humbly examine our hearts, confess our sinful and negative thoughts, and ask Him to refocus our minds on Christ. Like David, we can pray:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
— Psalm 51:10

God doesn't simply tell us to think differently—He transforms us from within.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...”
— Romans 12:2

Taking our thoughts captive is a conscious choice. At first, it may require moment-by-moment determination. We may find ourselves stopping often throughout the day to confess wandering thoughts and deliberately turn our minds back to the Lord.

What a comfort it is to remember that our gracious Savior forgives every confessed sin and patiently continues His work within us.

Healthy spiritual habits are rarely formed overnight. But as we spend time with the Lord, speak with Him in prayer, and fill our minds with His Word, He gently transforms both our thoughts and our attitudes. Our circumstances may remain the same, but they no longer dominate our vision because Christ does.

Paul concludes this beautiful passage with these words:

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Steeped in God’s love, 🌸

Evelyn

*Come Away My Beloved: 3-Minute Devotions for Women by Frances J. Roberts