Redeeming Anger: Turning Pain Into PurposeSample

Captive or Imprisoned?

Just because we have thoughts doesn’t mean we are those thoughts. Our will gives us the power to replace disempowering thoughts with constructive ones, leading to freedom in our thinking and ultimately transforming our behavior.

As we discussed on Day 4 when we talked about the anger cycle, our thinking (how we have interpreted life events) will dictate how we feel and react.

We can take our thoughts captive and replace harmful thoughts with positive, empowering ones. By becoming aware of what we’re thinking, we can reject thoughts that hinder our well-being and replace them with Truth.

For example, let’s say you're excited to share something you’re learning. You’re not being rude, but you express your viewpoint respectfully. However, someone disagrees entirely and reacts aggressively. If you struggle with insecurity and people-pleasing, you might be tempted to accept negative thoughts, such as: “How stupid am I? I shouldn’t have said anything.” These thoughts can lead to feelings of rejection. Just because someone else has a different opinion doesn’t make them right and you wrong. It’s perfectly fine to agree to disagree with those you love. Even if you are incorrect, there’s no need to criticize yourself or embrace negative self-talk.

Taking those lies and intrusive thoughts captive and replacing them with truth can be done simply by speaking it out loud. For example, say to yourself, “Not everyone will agree with me. The truth is, I don’t need other people’s approval to know that I am loved and valuable.” By quickly challenging limiting beliefs about your self-worth and shifting disempowering thoughts, you can release them like water off your back, which helps you stay in peace.

Depending on how deeply ingrained the lies are about yourself, you may need to fight to free your mind. You can be both defensive and offensive in this battle. You can become aware of intrusive thoughts and stand against them. For instance, you can verbalize, “I break agreement with the lie that…” and refuse to stay in that mental prison. Additionally, you can proactively change your thoughts by affirming what you want to focus on in the present and moving forward.

Consider the definition of captivity:

Captive—“one who has been captured: one taken and held, usually in confinement.” This refers to being held, but not necessarily as a consequence of wrongdoing.

We are not prisoners of our thoughts. Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor, wrote that the one thing the Nazis couldn’t take from him was his attitude—a "mental position with regard to a fact or state." He went on to say, “We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts, comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”

We often invite negativity into our thoughts by focusing on what we think we need to change. Phrases like “I should…,” “I need to…,” or “I ought to…” acknowledge that something is wrong, but they fail to offer a solution. This language breeds guilt and disappointment and reinforces our self-imagined inadequacies, keeping us in a cycle of inaction.

Let’s call negative self-talk what it truly is—a Deceiver. The definition of a deceiver is “to cause someone to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid: ENSNARE.” Our choice is to allow ourselves to be robbed of life by falling into the trap of partnering with the lies our faulty beliefs have set in motion. This Deceiver steals our self-worth, keeps us in the past, and prevents us from entering a fulfilling future. We can choose whether to be led by the Deceiver or the God of Light and Truth. The dance partner we choose will directly impact the quality of our lives since our subconscious mind will believe anything we focus on.

Shad Helmstetter, a psychologist and motivational life coach, wrote, “Self-talk is a way to override our past negative programming by erasing or replacing it with conscious, positive new directions. Self-talk is a practical way to live by active intent rather than passive acceptance.”

A highly effective method of redirecting our brains is stating proactive “I am” statements. These statements focus our minds on truth, igniting positive feelings and changing our actions. Saying aloud, “I am…,” “I can…,” “I believe…,” and “I choose to…” propels us forward, helping us live out what we truly desire deep within ourselves.

Because our thoughts will dictate how we feel (refer back to Day 4 Anger Cycle) and how we think is the foundation for how we interpret a situation, we must think positively and with the mind of Christ. We can willingly take any negative or ungodly thoughts captive and replace them with the Truth instead of being imprisoned by them.

Unlock Your Life:

Begin by speaking affirming Truths daily, like the ones below, which can have a profound impact on your thoughts and mindset:

- I am capable of facing challenges with courage.
- I am accepted without needing to be perfect.
- I believe the best is still ahead.
- I am responsible for myself and for how I think.

Speaking the Truth of Scripture over your mind will transform your thoughts about yourself and your identity.

- I am the salt of the earth
- I am the light of the world
- I have been adopted by the Father
- I am a friend of Jesus
- I am a saint, a holy one
- I am redeemed and forgiven
- I have been chosen by God
- I am free from all condemnation
- I can find grace and mercy to help in a time of need
- I am a temple of God
- I am a minister of reconciliation
- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
- I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit
- I am complete in Christ

By declaring these affirmations, you can rise above a self-defeating perspective and overcome a compromised sense of identity.

Instead of focusing on your weaknesses, shift your thinking to your strengths. Instead of saying, "I’m damaged," "I’m broken," or "I have trust issues," you can declare, "I’m healing," "I’m rediscovering myself," and "I’m starting over." This mindset shift empowers you to move forward and embrace who you are. Declaring Scriptures renews and transforms your mind. When our thinking aligns with Scripture, we can challenge the lies and false beliefs that imprison us.

Partnering With God:

Father God, You have said that I have the mind of Christ. I believe that I can be transformed by the renewing of my mind and today I agree with the Truth about who You are and who I am in You. My identity is secure in You.

Please illuminate areas of my mind where I am imprisoned by thoughts that are not Your Truth. Give me the Wisdom to take thoughts captive so that I can grow in grace and know how to think the way You created and intended for me to think. Please pour out clarity and understanding so that my mind is aligned with Yours. In Jesus' Name, Amen!