One of those books that can really change the way a person thinks is the book Battlefield of the Mind: Joyce Meyer. It's not a book of positive thinking. It is a book which teaches us the power we have in our thoughts to affect our daily lives and our relationship with God. Joyce Meyer speaks on the fact that many of the battles we fight begin within us. They start in our minds. Negative emotions such as fear, worry, doubt, anger, guilt and negative thinking can prevent us from enjoying God's peace. This book teaches us that with God's assistance, we can learn to exercise our mind with control and live a better and happier life.
The one thing I really like about this book is the simple and easy language. Joyce Meyer includes lots of anecdotes and examples from her life. She has a good time owning her screw-ups and how God helped her recover. I knew no one was perfect, and that any of us can grow if we trust God. When I read the book it felt like I was being given a lesson but it felt like I was being talked to.
The central theme of the book is that the arena of spiritual battles is our mind. Satan works to distract us from the truth, fear, confusion and negative thinking. God wants us to fill our minds with His truth though. One of Joyce Meyer's favorite scriptures is Romans 12:2 which reads, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. This verse tells us that the process of real change takes place within us. If we change our thinking, then we will change our actions and then our lives.
One of the other lessons I learned is don't take every thought you have for granted. Not all thoughts are God's thoughts. Some thoughts are to discourage us and make us feel hopeless. Joyce Meyer states that we are to compare our thinking with God's word. When fear, condemnation and confusion come, we reject them and replace them with God's promises. I really liked this lesson because I was able to learn that so many people over think, worry, but they were not aware that they could choose what they allowed to stay in their mind.
I can't help but recall a time I was constantly curious about my future and if everything would work out as I hoped, while reading this book. My fear took control of my thoughts and it impacted my peace and happiness. I spent many days feeling anxious instead of trusting God. This book reminded me that worrying does not help problems to get solved. But we find peace in God when we put our faith in Him and when we look at His promises. Jesus' words in John 14:27 say, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you... Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” That verse helped me to turn off my fears and feed my faith.
Patience is another lesson I learned in that book. Sometimes we desire change in our lives now, but it takes time for real change to happen. Joyce Meyer explains that changing the way we think is a daily process. Failure sometimes happens, but we should not be ready to stop trying. Instead, we should continue to pray, read the Bible and to trust God. Gradually, the mind grows stronger and we feel more happiness and peace.
Also, I liked the reminder by the author that God loves me despite my mistakes. There are a lot of people who have guilt from their past, and God is able to forgive and give them a new chance. Everyone who feels unworthy or discouraged gets hope from this message. The book's message is also echoed in Philippians 4:8 instructing us to "think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and worthy of praise. If we concentrate on these things, our hearts are made strong and calm.
A book that can completely change your life, I believe that Battlefield of the Mind is a powerful book for anyone who wants to grow spiritually and enjoy more peace in life. It gives practical lessons which can be applied daily. I would highly recommend this book to students, workers, parents, young people and anyone who has negative thoughts or anxiety. It gives us a reminder that victory starts with changing what we do. It starts with a change of mind by God's Word.
Overall, I am encouraged and hopeful from this book. It was a lesson in not being ruled by fear, worry, and not thinking positively. I can, with God's assistance, have faith rather than fear and truth rather than lies. If you want to be inspired, have a stronger faith and be able to think more healthily, then you should read Battlefield of the Mind. This book can be a life-changing book that you will be affected by even after you have read the last page.
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