We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ -- 2 Corinthians 10:5

No one is more influential in your life than you are, because no one talks to you as much as you talk to yourself. Therefore, what we say to ourselves about ourselves is of vital importance. The notable English bible teacher, Martin Lloyd-Jones so beautifully articulates this truth in his book entitled, Spiritual Depression.

The main problem in the whole matter of "spiritual depression" in a sense is this - we allow our "self" to talk to us instead of "talking to ourself." Most unhappiness in life is due to the fact that we "listen to ourselves" instead of "talking to ourselves." David in the bible, in effect, says, "Self, listen for a moment to what I have to say - why are you so cast down?" The main art in the matter of spiritual living is to know how to handle yourself, question yourself, and preach to yourself - you must remind yourself who God is, and what God has done, and what God has promised to do - this is the essence of the treatment in a nutshell. We must understand that this "self" of ours - this other man within us has got to be handled; do not listen to him! Turn on him! Speak to him! Remind him of what you know!

Whether we want to acknowledge it or not, we all talk to ourselves. The problem is that most often what we say to ourselves is more negative than positive and more of our human nature than of the Spirit of God. Psychologists tell that there are three predominant perspectives that the depressive thinks and feels.

With the world, he sees defeat and discouragement.
With self, he regards self as deficient, inadequate and unworthy.
With the future, he believes current difficulties will continue

The bible tells us that our thoughts influence five areas of our lives. They are the following:

A) MY INTERPRETATION INFLUENCES MY SITUATION

It's not what happens to me that matters as much as how I choose to see it. The way I react will determine whether the circumstance makes me better or bitter. I can view everything as an obstacle or an opportunity for growth - a stumbling block or a stepping stone. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4, NIV)

B) MY IMPRESSIONS INFLUENCE MY DEPRESSIONS

In other words, my mind affects my moods, my thinking determines my feelings. If I'm feeling depressed, it's because I'm choosing to think depressing thoughts - about my work, family, or anything else. While you cannot always control a feeling, you CAN choose what you think about - which will control how you feel. "Hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught..." (Psalm 55:2, NIV)

C) MY BELIEFS INFLUENCE MY BEHAVIOR

We always act according to our beliefs - even when those ideas are false. For instance, as a child, if you believed a shadow in your bedroom at night was a monster, your body reacted in fear (adrenaline, sweat, etc.) even though it wasn't true. That's why it's so important to make sure you are operating on true information! Your convictions about yourself, about life, and about God influence your conduct. "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples." (John 8:31, NIV)

D) MY SELF-TALK INFLUENCES MY SELF-CONCEPT

You are constantly talking to yourself unconsciously. When you walk into a room full of strangers, what do you tend to think about yourself? "As man thinks in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7, NKJV) One will often act or behave out of one's self-perception. To develop more confidence, one must see and rely on how God values himself.

E) MY ATTITUDE INFLUENCES MY ABILITY

Winners expect to win. Your perception controls your performance. Mohammed Ali only lost two fights in his career. Before both of them, he said something that he hadn't said before other fights: "If I should lose this fight ...." For the believer, one can live with a confidence because we are told in Romans 8:37,"...in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." Equally we can live daily knowing, "All things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9:23, NKJV)

So how do we destroy those negative painful thoughts that cause us to live more like a hen in a chicken coup rather than an eagle that soars?

1. Make sure that your mind and spirit are being marinated in the Word of God daily.
2. Activate the Spirit's power through spiritual breathing.
3. Work at finding and claiming those promises and directives that speak to the heart of your negative thought patterns.
4. Remember....Faith + The Spirit's Empowerment = Peace + Victory

Paul Valery said it well, "Our most important thoughts are those which contradict our emotions."