The memory pounced, blindsided, and left me reeling. I stood, trying to regain my thoughts.

Painful memories can’t be changed, I can’t alter what happened, and at times they leave me heartbroken and heart-sick. Oh, I need a mind wash. I need to forget that terrible thing that happened, that moment when my loved one took their final breath, the final cry I heard, the hurtful words that were said, the phone call that rocked my world. Oh, I need a mind wash!

Satan wants us to think we can’t fix the thoughts, that they will always torment, and we’ll never be able to firmly stand, heal, and move forward. The devil wants our focus to stay on the negatives that happened, the sins we committed, and the terrible thing we’ve seen, done, or experienced.

How do we get those thoughts under control, stand firm, heal, and move forward?

Run to The Truth. Nothing is impossible for God, nothing is too hard for Him, and His love is pure, holy, and unfailing. God’s perfect love drives out fear – all fear – fear of that bad memory, fear of those bad thoughts.

The enemy wants the focus to stay on the bad things instead of focusing on God who makes all things new, who causes all things to work together for good. Satan is the destroyer, but Jesus is the restorer.

Jesus came to release captives, bring sight to the blind, and set free those who are oppressed. We don’t have to stay bound by the enemy, we don’t have to be blinded by Satan’s lies that we can never be free or healed, Jesus sets us free from oppressive thoughts, and free from the memories that seek to destroy us. Through the power of Christ that lives within us, we take thoughts and memories captive.

We have been given the mind of Christ, a mind well-balanced and controlled by the Spirit, and the mind set on the Spirit is life. The Holy Spirit breathes Christ’s life within us, the mind of Christ within us, giving us the ability to reason, stand firm, and heal by the power of Christ.

When thoughts or memories come to mind, remember your mind is not defenseless. Christ who lives within you has all power and authority; you are never unprotected. Ask Him who makes all things new, to give you a new thought to replace that one, ask the Lord to replace the thought with His truth, His healing, and His restoration.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unfailing love. Thank You that nothing is impossible for You. Oh, Father the enemy is trying to distract me with thoughts that bring heartache and pain. Father, You care for Your children and Your love is perfect, so please in Your tender mercies and Your pure love, replace those thoughts with Your truth and Your healing.

Behind the darkest storm, the Son always shines, and Father, Your Son lives within me. Thank You that He sets me free and in Your perfect love I have nothing to fear. Help me to replace bad thoughts with thoughts of You and Your love. Thank You that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Thank You that evil will be punished, and no weapon forged against me will prosper.

Grant me the ability to think beyond the past to remember the amazing present and future I have with You. Thank You that my loved ones who passed away, their last breath here on earth was the first breath into eternal life. Help me to think on that which is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, things of good repute, excellence and worthy of praise.

Please give me a visual of You standing in the way of that memory and any thought the devil brings to mind. Heavenly Father, in the pureness of You and Your love You wash me clean, You remove the stains of the enemy’s fingerprints, You remove the stain of sin, You set me free! Praise You, Lord!

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” ~ 2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP)

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” ~ Romans 8:28 (NASB)

Jesus read from Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” ~ Luke 4:18-19 (NASB)

Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” ~ Matthew 22:37 (NASB)

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears punishment has not been perfected in love.” ~ 1 John 4:18 (NET Bible)

“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.” ~ Romans 8:6 (NASB)

“For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to advise him? But we have the mind of Christ.” ~ 1 Corinthians 2:16 (NET Bible)

“for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ. We are also ready to punish every act of disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.” ~ 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 (NET Bible)

“And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].” ~ Romans 12:2 (AMP)

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” ~ Philippians 4:6-8 (NASB)

From, We Were Meant for Paradise by Lisa Buffaloe, https://amzn.to/47GRQU9