I remember another incident that happened to me several years ago when my grandmother was in the hospital with an inflamed pancreas. That condition, of course, is not contagious, but as she began to describe the pain that she was experiencing a very subtle fear thought—so slight that I didn’t even consciously recognize it at the moment—went through my mind that I was going to encounter the same problem. If it had been a conscious thought I probably would have recognized and handled it. But it was a very subtle, subconscious thought and I began feeling the same pain that my grandmother had described. Having no idea at the time that I was in spiritual warfare, and failing to recall the ever-so-slight thought that had come when I was in her hospital room, I automatically assumed that the pain was the culprit. So I simply prayed about it and took authority over the discomfort, not realizing that I was only dealing with the twig. For the next several weeks I spent a great deal of time crying out to God, “Lord, what is wrong with my body?” I knew the pain in the area of my pancreas wasn’t just a figment of my imagination, because it would often wake me up in the middle of the night. Then one day I suddenly remembered the subtle thought I’d had in the hospital, informing me that I would have the same pancreatic attack that my grandmother was experiencing. All it took was becoming aware of the thought, because when I started pulling down that lofty notion and taking it captive with the Word, almost instantly the pain left and never returned. Thoughts Carry Out Their Purpose Whether They Are Good or Bad That little experience left me far wiser concerning the power that thoughts carry. The moment I accepted that implanted thought, it literally started carrying out its purpose. It is imperative that those contradictory thoughts be pulled down because once they are adopted as our original thinking, our own body will work to turn that thought into a reality. The body was made to carry out what the mind dictates—unfortunately, the bad as well as the good. The body does not have the ability to discern the good from the bad. The mind does that. The body just follows the leading of the mind. Thus, Satan sends the evil thought, but once the mind accepts it, our whole being begins to respond to it. A thought of sin will eventually breed sin. A thought of rejection will ultimately bring rejection into our life. Likewise, with a thought of failure, depression, despair, hurt, sickness, or divorce... If those negative thoughts are not taken captive they will sooner or later become constant bedfellows, producing fantasy thoughts that fan the fire. And it all starts right between our ears. -Peggy Joyce Ruth Get the Book!
16 Comments
Frances
10/25/2019 07:24:52 pm
"All it took was becoming aware of the thought, because when I started pulling down that lofty notion and taking it captive with the Word, almost instantly the pain left and never returned."
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John Paul
4/23/2020 02:04:56 pm
This is so true. The thoughts we think water the seeds of life. Seeds grow after their kind. Good thoughts bring good crops,and negative thoughts bring the weeds and bad outcome. We speak words of praise and power
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PJR Ministries
4/24/2020 02:53:57 pm
John Paul,
PJR Ministries
4/24/2020 03:00:15 pm
Frances, I think this will help you as it did Peggy Joyce. "Once when I was battling with this barrage of fear, God simply spoke the words “exchange system” to me. Afterwards, he told me to exchange every negative thought, every fear, every contradiction to the Word with a promise from God’s Word. When fear would hit, God impressed me to immediately quote “God has not given me a spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound mind”. I was to do that until the fear lifted. When a thought of disease would come, I was to immediately say, “Jesus has borne all my sicknesses and diseases on His own body.” When God seems far away I am to say, “Jesus never leaves or forsakes me.” It became fun to me to find a Scripture promise to contradict every negative thought. You cannot find a fear that there is not a Scripture promise to contradict it. I began typing out a list of every promise I could think of to use to overtake whatever fear thought that Satan might use against me. Make a game out of it and see how quickly you can come up with God’s answer. Another important hint is to always say those Scripture promises out loud."
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Carolyn Walker
4/25/2020 10:42:44 am
My friend just introduced me to this teaching/ website. I would like to learn more. We all need help with our thoughts especially during this difficult time. When you live alone self isolation could lead to thought problems. We must closely monitor what our thoughts are focused. For me there is only one path that I choose to walk. I’ll take His offered hand and stay in His shelter, snug in His covering wings; snuggling in the comforting loving warmth of his feathers, keeping me safe from all enemies. Nestling in that peace, no plague can come near me. Thank you Jesus, my closest friend, Lord and saviour. Amen.
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PJR Ministries
4/30/2020 08:32:05 am
Carolyn,
PJR Ministries
10/29/2019 11:46:37 am
Frances,
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Frances
10/29/2019 05:48:29 pm
Thanks Peggy. This is very helpful. Blessings to you, your family and ministry.
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PJR Ministries
11/7/2019 01:02:04 pm
You are welcome! Thank you friend.
Becky Nail
4/23/2020 01:29:19 pm
(Volunteer NB, Abilene w Shirley Jackson)
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PJR Ministries
4/24/2020 02:44:26 pm
Hi Becky,
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Alice Meszaros
4/24/2020 04:20:41 am
All my life, it seems, I have carried a spirit of fear that seems to be more powerful in pressure and crisis than my trust and peace in The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I’m not a youngster, but I believe the LORD is still ready to deliver me from the fear root and has never grown so weary with me as to throw up his hands and walk away from me in this matter. This devotional was perfectly fitted to what I have carried at least since my mother’s death when I was still a child. Please pray that he leads me and I follow HIM as he seems yet willing to help me in this matter. I have loved Him and He has loved and kept me, but this fear thing has interfered and accused and hindered.
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PJR Ministries
4/24/2020 02:51:24 pm
Alice,
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Trish Hansinger
5/18/2020 12:21:34 pm
Please pray for me. As of today and in the past in the past I have spoken eye diseases over myself that my parents have had. And come this Friday is see the eye Dr for these conditions. I know God's word says "power and life are in the tounge." I know that I have the heritage of Jesus. But if have sinned in this area. I need help with my tongue and faith to believe in His power of His word. Thank you.
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Sandra Cravens
8/20/2020 10:43:48 pm
I love this article and the truth in it so much that I find myself going back to re-read it from time to time. Looking forward to the day that I have overcome this fear completely with God’s help. You guys are such a blessing to me! Miss you both!!
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Malinda Hafner
1/17/2023 09:25:28 pm
Please pray for me. They tell me i have stage 4 cancer. But it's the anxiety thats giving me the most trouble. They have me on 3 meds. I have prayed for deliverance but still struggle. Prayers appreciated. i ordered your book.
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