“The Devil is a Headhunter. My mind is his battlefield. My imagination is his trophy”
Pastor wayne corderio
I love crime shows. Like, honest to goodness love them. I love to watch and try to solve them before they end. I like to see the creepy characters unfold and say “I called it” when the charming, handsome and rich man is the serial killer. One of the shows my husband and I like is Criminal Minds. Now, I am not endorsing this show, I would beware if you are squeamish to blood or crime as it leaves little to the imagination. However, it is the story of how the Behavioral Analysis Unit in the FBI solves crimes that involve serial killers. I became enthralled with the idea of this type of work. I started researching the BAU and dreaming of my role as an FBI agent in this unit, and I’ll tell you what, in my mind, I’m a good agent. But as I started to fantasize about this amazing career I would have, I began to feel a tug in my spirit.
I was shifted in thought when the heavenly father prompted me to go deeper. Go deeper into why I was so intrigued with the mind of a serial killer.
I was instantly worried that I was going to have a realization that I had markers of a killer since I was so interested. But, much like the Lord usually does, it was more of a teaching moment. As I mentioned in my last blog, I like to body build for fun. I like to sign up for bikini competitions and see how far I can go. I like to push my body to its limit. But one thing I’ve learned is that it’s not my body that must be submissive… it’s my MIND. In this teaching moment, He was reminding me the importance of my mind. I had become so enthralled in the mind of a serial killer, He reminded me the equal importance of becoming enthralled with my own mind.
I put myself through rigorous training throughout the whole year. I eat, train, sleep, supplement according to my goal. I have learned to train my mind, that even through exhaustion, hunger and a deep desire for a cookie, I keep going, without the cookie, because I want to win on that stage more.
Friends, our mind is so important. It is the one thing that we have complete control over. One of the things that separates us from the animals. The one thing we can keep completely to ourselves if we so choose.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8
How many times in the last year, month, day or even hour, have you thought of things that don’t edify anything or anyone? Can I ask you a harder question? How many times have you thought about something that tears yourself down?
How many times do you remind yourself that you are a failure, you don’t measure up, you aren’t enough, you don’t have what it takes… you can’t be used of the Father? How many times have you allowed the “Headhunter” to permeate your thoughts?
Our minds are so precious. The enemy is the OG (“Original Gangsta”) of head hunting, he loves to wage war in our mind because it’s the one place he knows is most vulnerable…. And get this.. MOST EFFECTIVE. His battlefield is set because he knows that most of the time, we are busy, we are already feeling low or maybe you aren’t, and then that small little voice of doubt comes in to bring you down.
In the quote I listed, it says “My imagination is his trophy” it’s true. If the enemy can have us focus on the catastrophes he’s conjured up in our own minds, we won’t be available to fight off the cheap shots he keeps taking. If he can somehow persuade us to buy into the lies that he creates, he has done his due diligence. He collects his headhunters fee, goes on his merry way, and comes back for another go around tomorrow.
Do not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s perfect will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:2
If we allow the Lord to change the way we think. If we allow him to permeate our thoughts instead of allowing the lies of the enemy; our lives will become infinitely better and more effective for Christ. In Him, we are worthy, we are forgiven, we are loved, we are strong, we are unshakable, we are good parents, we are good sons and daughters, we are good friends…WE ARE ENOUGH!
In the moments I had with the Lord after he prompted me to think about my mind; He lead me to this conclusion. Our minds are a beautiful, intricate and delicate gift. Although looking at it or holding it (I have seen and held a brain, goodness, maybe I do have killer tendencies. I’m kidding, it was for school.) seems uninspiring, it holds so much POWER.
Friends, renewing our minds isn’t as easy as it sounds. It takes constant re- wiring. It takes constant effort to allow our thoughts to become submissive to the right things. If you are like me, I am a tape player. yes, I am aging myself here. But I replay over and over a situation I may have missed or a sign I may have missed. Something to explain the sometimes unexplainable. It’s in those moments, I have to decide to give the controls to the Lord. I turn on a worship song, I go for a jog, I hit the gym…I don’t allow my mind to become headhunted. This is a daily act. A daily decision. A daily battle.
I have adopted a system that a wonderful coach of mine taught me. It’s called “Gratitudes.” I have made it my mission to wake up and write down all the things I am thankful for. They are easy at first. family, house, car. But, after I do it for a while, something happens. A renewing of my heart. I become grateful for the small and minuscule things I once missed. I become thankful for the nail polish on my toes, the annoying fly that will not die in my house. The small house plant I haven’t killed. (I have a figurative and literal brown thumb). I have affirmations on my bathroom mirror and I do the same for my kids, I have one in my car as well. Deuteronomy 11:18 says, “Fix these (MY) words in your hearts and MINDS; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads” In other words… post the truths EVERYWHERE!
I am far from a perfect mind, I have my hang-ups, my doubts, my insecurities. I’m sure you do too. But I encourage you to renew your mind today.
For as he THINKS in his heart, so is he.”
Proverbs 23:7 kjv
Think well in your heart and mind today. Discipline your thoughts to think on the pure and lovely things the Word talks about. After all, we end up becoming what we think…and those thoughts are entirely up to you.
Until next time,
Keep Lifting.
Stephany Peterson, Author
You can find out more about Stephany by checking out our TEAM DESTINY page!
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