66. Take Every Thought Captive Before It Takes Over

Have you ever wondered why you can read your Bible, pray, go to church, and do all the “right” things...but still feel stuck in the same patterns? In this episode, Josh and Corina talk about why knowing God’s Word isn’t the same as believing it or applying it, and how real transformation happens when truth moves from your head to your heart. Corina shares honestly about seasons when she knew what God wanted for her but still felt trapped in unhealthy patterns, and Josh shares about knowing all the right Scriptures about peace while still struggling with anxiety. You’ll learn why the goal of Scripture isn’t just information, but transformation, and how to partner with the Holy Spirit so the Word becomes personal, alive, and practical in your everyday life. They also share practical ways to: Recognize an area where you feel stuckIdentify the belief underneath itAsk God what truth applies to your situationPray and personalize ScriptureMeditate on God’s Word throughout your dayTake old thoughts captive and replace them with truthBuild simple habits that help the truth become your new normal You may not need another sermon, book, or Bible study. You may simply need to take the truth God has already spoken and begin to apply it until it becomes part of how you think, believe, and live. Transformed By Truth In 30 Days FREE Hope Quiz Overcome Limiting Beliefs Facebook Group Transformed by Truth book 40 Days to Peace devotional Support our podcast Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction: Encountering God's Word(00:00:37) - Podcast Welcome & Intro(00:01:14) - Transformed by Truth Invite(00:02:02) - Feeling Stuck Despite Doing 'All the Right Things'(00:05:05) - Knowing Truth vs. Believing and Applying It(00:06:21) - Experiencing the Word to Be Transformed(00:07:46) - Personal Story: Anxiety and the Gap Between Knowing and Experiencing(00:08:24) - Intentionality in Transformation(00:10:00) - Questions to Diagnose Why You're Stuck(00:12:02) - Not Striving, But Partnering with the Holy Spirit(00:14:38) - Second Invite: Transformed by Truth Challenge Details(00:15:34) - Renewing the Mind: Praying and Meditating on the Word(00:18:24) - Making Scripture a Daily Habit(00:19:50) - Taking Thoughts Captive and Fighting with the Word(00:20:46) - Applying Scripture Daily and Acting on It(00:21:30) - Focus Determines What Increases in Your Life(00:22:34) - Practical Action Steps: Identify Where You're Stuck(00:24:18) - Finding and Personalizing a Truth to Apply(00:26:07) - Using Resources to Find Scripture When Stuck(00:28:16) - Partnering with Truth Every Day(00:30:25) - Closing Encouragement and Prayer(00:32:46) - Outro and Call to Action

Have you ever had a thought pop into your head and immediately wondered, “Why would I think that?” In this episode, Josh and Corina talk about how to recognize when negative or recurring thoughts may not actually reflect who you are, how to discern what you’re agreeing with, and how to renew your mind with the truth of God. Corina shares a client story about recurring thoughts that produced shame and condemnation, and how bringing those thoughts into the light exposed the lie underneath them and opened the door to freedom. They also talk about the reality that believers have the mind of Christ, and that not every thought that enters your mind deserves your agreement. Instead of automatically identifying with every thought, you can learn to recognize it, evaluate where it came from, and decide whether it lines up with God’s truth. You’ll learn how to: Recognize recurring thoughts and emotional patternsDiscern whether a thought lines up with your identity in ChristExternalize thoughts by writing or talking them outBreak agreement with lies and condemnationBring unhealthy thought patterns to JesusGet to the root instead of only managing the symptomReplace old thoughts with Scripture, declarations, and God’s truthPrepare yourself when familiar lies try to return You don’t have to believe every thought that crosses your mind. You have the mind of Christ, and you can learn to recognize what doesn’t belong and replace it with truth. FREE Hope Quiz Overcome Limiting Beliefs Facebook Group Transformed by Truth book 40 Days to Peace devotional Support our podcast Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro & Welcome(00:01:11) - Call to Action: Share the Podcast(00:01:40) - Client Story: Negative Thoughts and Lies(00:03:22) - Corina's College Fear Experience(00:04:15) - Josh's Commute Story(00:05:36) - The Mind of Christ and Mind Renewal(00:06:48) - Meditation, Hope, and the Free Hope Quiz(00:08:01) - Romans 8: Mind Governed by the Spirit(00:09:15) - Declaring Truth Over the Mind(00:10:27) - The Enemy as Accuser(00:11:58) - Recognizing Negative Thought Patterns(00:12:44) - Step One: Awareness of Your Thoughts(00:13:56) - Externalizing Thoughts: Writing and Talking(00:15:59) - Recognizing What Doesn't Align With You(00:17:04) - Bringing Thoughts to Jesus(00:18:09) - Roots of Thoughts and Deep Healing(00:19:08) - Client Story Continued: Healing the Root(00:21:58) - Being Prepared with Truth and Scripture(00:22:48) - Closing Blessing and Prayer(00:23:58) - Outro

As a Christian leader, it can be hard to turn your mind off. You’re thinking about the people you lead, the decisions you need to make, the problems you’re trying to solve, and the conversations you keep replaying. In this episode, Josh and Corina talk about how Christian leaders can take their thoughts captive, overcome recurring negative thoughts, renew their minds, and lead from peace instead of pressure. Josh shares how leadership pressure once fueled the recurring thought, “My life stinks,” even though he was surrounded by many good things. What finally began to change his thought life wasn’t simply trying to stop the thought. It was recognizing it and intentionally replacing it with truth. They also unpack how leadership pressure can create thoughts like, “It all depends on me,” “I have to fix this,” or “If I don’t do it, everything will fall apart.” But Jesus never intended leaders to carry that weight alone. You’ll learn a simple three-step process:Recognize what you’re carrying and the thoughts you keep replaying.Renounce the lie underneath the pressure.Replace it with the truth God is speaking. The goal isn’t to never have another anxious, negative, or frustrating thought. It’s to know what to do when those thoughts show up so they don’t begin leading you. FREE Hope Quiz Overcome Limiting Beliefs Facebook Group Transformed by Truth book 40 Days to Peace devotional Support our podcast Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro: Leading from Pressure vs. Peace(00:01:07) - Support the Show(00:01:30) - Josh's Story: Negative Recurring Thoughts(00:03:24) - The Weight of Leadership Responsibility(00:05:24) - Taking Every Thought Captive(00:06:49) - Normal Thoughts vs. Agreeing with Lies(00:08:07) - Free Hope Quiz Invitation(00:09:13) - Step 1: Recognize What You're Carrying(00:11:52) - Step 2: Renounce the Lie(00:13:11) - Step 3: Replace with Truth(00:16:12) - Using Imagination and Both Sides of the Brain(00:17:38) - Personal Counseling Story: Seeing God's Truth(00:18:33) - Closing Blessing and Encouragement(00:20:02) - Outro

Have you ever asked God for direction, felt like you received an answer, and then immediately started second-guessing it? In this episode, Josh and Corina talk about hearing God’s voice, discerning God’s will, Christian decision-making, and how to stop second-guessing your next step. Josh shares the story of sensing God say, “It’s time,” which eventually led their family to quit his job, sell their house, move to a new city, and attend ministry school—even though the process still included fear, uncertainty, and lots of confirmation along the way. You’ll learn how to trust that God really is leading you, why fear doesn’t automatically mean you missed Him, and how to stay relational and submitted instead of treating God’s voice like a one-time yes-or-no answer. You don’t have to have the whole plan. You can trust that God is speaking, leading, and able to redirect you as you move forward with Him. FREE Hope Quiz Overcome Limiting Beliefs Facebook Group Transformed by Truth book 40 Days to Peace devotional Support our podcast Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction: Trusting God's Direction(00:01:06) - Story: The Call to Move Cities(00:02:51) - Confirmation and Fear Along the Way(00:04:16) - Fruit of Obedience and Overcoming Fear(00:06:15) - Taking First Steps and Leading Others(00:08:13) - God's Trustworthiness and Scriptural Promises(00:09:29) - Overcoming Confusion in Prayer(00:10:50) - Relational vs Transactional Prayer(00:11:36) - Invitation to Conversation with God(00:13:07) - Silencing Doubt and Hearing the Spirit(00:14:05) - Coaching Offer and Hope Quiz(00:15:24) - Staying Connected: Ministry School Example(00:17:02) - Servant vs Son: Relationship with God(00:18:59) - God as GPS: Course Correction(00:20:49) - Action Step: Ask God for Clarity(00:22:37) - Action Step: Capture What You Hear(00:24:47) - Seeking Guidance in All Decisions(00:25:34) - Final Step: Take Action and Stay Submitted(00:27:08) - Closing and Call to Action

Have you ever experienced a real breakthrough with God, only to find yourself struggling with the same thoughts or patterns later? In this episode, Josh and Corina talk about Christian breakthrough, renewing your mind, lasting transformation, and how to walk in the freedom God has already given you. Josh shares how he experienced a powerful breakthrough from anxiety, only to realize later that old thought patterns still needed to be renewed. They explain why breakthrough can happen in a moment, but transformation often happens through a process of partnering with the Holy Spirit, replacing old beliefs with truth, and learning to think differently. You’re not working for freedom. You’re learning how to walk out the freedom God has already given you. FREE Hope Quiz Overcome Limiting Beliefs Facebook Group Transformed by Truth book 40 Days to Peace devotional Support our podcast Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction: Breakthrough vs Lasting Transformation(00:01:05) - A Personal Story of Anxiety and Breakthrough(00:02:23) - Why Freedom Fades Without a Renewed Mind(00:03:51) - Staying Free: The Process After the Zap(00:06:23) - Israelites and the Promised Land: Walking It Out(00:08:08) - It's Not About Trying Harder, It's Partnering with God(00:09:38) - Getting to the Root: Beliefs Behind the Symptoms(00:11:08) - Grace Over Effort: Neuroplasticity and 72 Days(00:12:56) - Character Over Behavior: Real Transformation(00:14:02) - Free Hope Quiz and Coaching Resources(00:15:01) - Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection(00:17:15) - Noticing What God Is Doing(00:18:58) - Choosing One Truth and Pairing It with Action(00:21:39) - Habit Stacking to Build New Patterns(00:23:15) - Practicing Your Craft and Obedience in the Waiting(00:25:36) - Closing Encouragement and Call to Action(00:26:57) - Outro and Podcast Sign Off

Do you know you’re called, but still feel stuck or unsure of your next step? In this episode, Josh and Corina talk about identity in Christ, hearing God’s voice, finding clarity, and how Christian leaders can move forward with confidence. Corina shares how the lies “I’m too much” and “I’m not enough” caused her to shrink back in leadership, and how letting God redefine her identity helped her regain confidence and clarity. Pasted text They explain why clarity often gets cloudy when we try to get direction before we’re grounded in identity. When you know you are loved, chosen, equipped, and led by God, you don’t need the whole plan. You can trust Him for the next step. Pasted text You’ll learn how to: Identify lies like “I’m not enough,” “I’m not ready,” or “I’m going to miss God”Break agreement with identity liesAsk God what He says is true insteadRenew your mind with truthLet God reframe past mistakesMove forward without needing the whole planLead from the security of the Father’s love Clarity often starts with a better question: not just “God, what should I do?” but “God, who do You say I am?” Pasted text FREE Hope Quiz Overcome Limiting Beliefs Facebook Group Transformed by Truth book 40 Days to Peace devotional Support our podcast Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction: Finding Clarity Through Identity(00:01:19) - Corina's Story: 'Too Much' and 'Not Enough'(00:03:19) - Redefining Identity Through God's Truth(00:05:11) - Our Lens on Circumstances vs God's Perspective(00:07:59) - Getting Identity from the Right Source (Heavenly Father)(00:09:23) - Earning Love vs Freedom in the Father's Love(00:10:26) - Leading From a Place of Being Loved(00:11:47) - The Father's Daily, Constant Love(00:13:13) - Reframing 'Failures' - The Marriage Course Story(00:15:04) - Success Equals Obedience, Not Outcome(00:15:34) - Hope Quiz Announcement(00:16:46) - Action Steps: Identifying the Lies You Believe(00:19:24) - Gideon and Breaking Agreement with Lies(00:20:33) - Replacing Lies With Truth and Renewing the Mind(00:21:43) - Client Story: The Scraggly Cat Encounter(00:24:21) - Jesus's Identity Temptation in the Wilderness(00:25:22) - Asking God Who You Are This Season(00:26:57) - Hope Quiz Invitation Repeated(00:27:32) - Closing Blessing and Call to Action

In this episode, Josh and Corina talk about comparison, jealousy, Christian identity, and how to stop comparing yourself to others. Josh shares how being surrounded by hundreds of gifted worship leaders caused him to question whether he was good enough, until God reminded him that no one else carries exactly what He put inside of him. You’ll learn how comparison can push us toward either pride or jealousy, why someone else’s success doesn’t take anything away from your calling, and how celebration, gratitude, encouragement, and truth can help break the comparison cycle. They also share a simple process for overcoming comparison: Celebrate others instead of competing with them. Encourage the people coming up behind you. Identify the lie underneath jealousy or envy. Ask God what is true about you instead. Renew your mind with your unique identity and calling. You don’t have to become less so someone else can succeed. God created you uniquely, on purpose, with something only you can bring. FREE Hope Quiz Overcome Limiting Beliefs Facebook Group Transformed by Truth book 40 Days to Peace devotional Support our podcast Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction: The Trap of Comparison(00:01:11) - Josh's Ministry School Story of Comparison(00:02:08) - Finding Your Unique Gift and Calling(00:05:00) - The Lie vs. The Truth About Identity(00:06:48) - Comparison, Pride, and Jealousy Explained(00:08:41) - Biblical Examples: Disciples and Comparison(00:10:50) - Tip One: Celebrating Others to Overcome Jealousy(00:13:21) - Gratitude as a Weapon Against Comparison(00:15:14) - Tip Two: Encouraging and Empowering Others(00:15:54) - Workplace Lessons on Team Building and Leadership(00:18:25) - Tip Three: Repentance and Renewing Your Thoughts(00:20:19) - Identifying Lies and the Free Hope Quiz(00:23:16) - Living in Your True, God-Given Identity(00:24:51) - Closing and Call to Action

How should Christian leaders deal with anger and frustration without stuffing emotions or reacting in ways they regret? In this episode, Josh and Corina talk about anger management for Christian leaders, emotional self-control, renewing your mind, and how to respond with the Holy Spirit instead of reacting from emotion. Corina shares a personal story about losing her temper with her son during homeschooling and what God taught her about pausing, asking the Holy Spirit how to respond, and choosing love instead of reaction. They also talk about how frustration can reveal deeper beliefs, stress, exhaustion, or unresolved emotional issues. As leaders, parents, spouses, and pastors, we have to become aware of what is happening inside us so we can lead from health instead of anger. Anger doesn’t have to control the way you lead. God can heal the places underneath the frustration so you can respond with peace, self-control, and love. Clarity Coaching with Josh & Corina Overcome Limiting Beliefs Facebook Group FREE 5-Steps To Overcome Limiting Beliefs PDF Transformed by Truth book 40 Days to Peace devotional Support our podcast Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro: Dealing with Anger as a Leader(00:01:08) - Corina's Story: Homeschooling and Losing Patience(00:03:39) - Learning to Let the Holy Spirit Lead(00:05:30) - Choosing Response Over Reaction(00:06:53) - Modeling Healthy Responses for Kids and Teams(00:10:32) - Apologizing and Partnering with Humility(00:11:17) - Owning Your Emotions and Taking a Pause(00:12:42) - Coaching Program: Discovering Root Lies(00:13:51) - Having High Beliefs About the People You Lead(00:15:26) - Grace for Growth and Managing Expectations(00:17:32) - Extending Grace at Home and in Ministry(00:19:12) - Taking Emotional Time Outs(00:20:56) - When People Push Buttons: Accepting Non-Resolution(00:23:20) - Getting Emotionally Healthy Yourself First(00:25:30) - Body, Soul, and Spirit: Addressing Root Causes(00:27:05) - Overcoming Lies and Hopelessness with Truth(00:29:57) - Closing Encouragement and Call to Action

Are you a Christian leader feeling pressure, burnout, people pleasing, or the need to constantly do more? In this episode, Josh and Corina talk about Christian leadership, renewing your mind, ministry burnout, performance, striving, and how to lead from peace instead of pressure. Josh shares how he learned the difference between working with God instead of working for God and how that shift changed the way he approached ministry and leadership. You’ll learn how common beliefs like “It all depends on me,” “I can’t fail,” “I have to keep everyone happy,” and “I should be doing more” can create unnecessary pressure and lead to burnout. Josh and Corina also share three daily practices for Christian leaders: 1. Receive before you produce Connect with God before you start solving problems and meeting everyone else’s needs. 2. Find the lie fueling the pressure Ask God what belief is driving your anxiety, frustration, or striving. 3. Declare God’s truth throughout the day Renew your mind with truth before meetings, decisions, and difficult conversations. You don’t have to lead from pressure. You can lead from peace, identity, and the security of knowing you are already loved by God. Clarity Coaching with Josh & Corina Overcome Limiting Beliefs Facebook Group FREE 5-Steps To Overcome Limiting Beliefs PDF Transformed by Truth book 40 Days to Peace devotional Support our podcast Chapters (00:00:00) - Three Ways Christian Leaders Can Renew Their Minds(00:01:10) - Working With God Instead of for God(00:05:00) - Lies That Create Leadership Pressure(00:11:16) - Renewing Your Mind to Lead From Freedom(00:15:55) - Three Daily Practices to Lead From Peace

Have you ever wondered, “Is this spiritual warfare, or am I just having a hard day?” Sometimes Christians can become so focused on the enemy that everything starts to feel like an attack. Other times, we ignore spiritual warfare completely and miss what’s actually happening. In this episode, Josh and Corina talk about how to discern spiritual warfare without becoming fearful, hyper-focused on the enemy, or overwhelmed by what may be happening in the spiritual realm. Corina shares the story of a client who had experienced healing but became trapped in fear that she might lose it. As they worked together, they discovered that the deeper battle wasn’t just what was happening around her. It was also what she had begun to believe. When her beliefs came back into alignment with God’s truth, the fear lifted. Josh and Corina explain that spiritual warfare is often less complicated than we make it. The enemy’s primary weapon is lies, and one of the most powerful things we can do is recognize where we’ve come into agreement with fear, hopelessness, condemnation, or accusation, break agreement with those lies, and renew our minds with truth. They also share a simple way to discern the voice you’re listening to: look at the fruit it produces. If a thought produces fear, hopelessness, condemnation, or discouragement, it isn’t producing the fruit of God’s voice. God’s truth leads us toward hope, peace, joy, love, and freedom. The goal is not to spend your life obsessed with fighting the enemy. Jesus has already won the victory. You get to walk in that victory by aligning your thoughts, words, and beliefs with what God says is true. Clarity Coaching with Josh & Corina Overcome Limiting Beliefs Facebook Group FREE 5-Steps To Overcome Limiting Beliefs PDF Transformed by Truth book 40 Days to Peace devotional Support our podcast Chapters (00:00:00) - Is This Spiritual Warfare?(00:04:06) - Breaking Agreement With Fear and Lies(00:08:31) - Discern the Voice by Its Fruit(00:12:36) - Identify the Message Behind the Circumstance(00:16:03) - Ask God for His Perspective and Walk in Victory