Deleting Messages

May 22, 2024

You've done it too, right? Typed out a text and then thought better of sending it. So you delete it. Backspace and rewrite something that won't cause problems. Phew!

The messages that we allow to play through our minds can be similar. We do have the power to backspace when the message is not true or not helpful, and we can type out something new in its place. Here are some recent examples of messages running through my mind that I actively try to delete and retype with something better.

"I can't do this. It's too hard." This thought has popped up in work situations lately whenever there is a miscommunication or I feel left out or things feel repetitive. It happened every day this week. But I caught it. I heard that thought and knew it was wrong, so I replaced it. "You are strong enough to handle this." This is what is going to help me right now. The other messages make me feel defeated and discouraged. When I replace "I can't do this," with "You are strong enough to handle this," I begin trying to find ways to handle the challenges I am facing instead of throwing in the towel.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says:

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

We have the power to take our thoughts captive!

Here is another one that I have been hearing lately. "You are in the wrong place. Get out." I have had to delete that thought and instead replace it with, "God told me that this is where I am supposed to be right now." Being in the right place doesn't mean things will be easy. Being in the right place often means things will be hard.

John 16:33 says:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

James 1:2-4 says:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

God uses the challenges in our lives to build our character and our testimony.

What kind of messages have you been allowing to play through your mind that are not helpful? Do these thoughts honor God and align with Who He is, what He says in His Word, and what He wants you to do with your life? If not, delete them! Backspace. Type out something better in your mind and send that instead.

For instance, maybe you have heard this in your mind:

That's wrong! Delete that. Replace it with:

Knowing God's Truths will set you free. Carry on, warrior.