Pop To Ponder (TSC Youth Camp 2023)

Elephant Challenge

Look at this picture

Challenge: Your goal for the next 10 seconds is to do one thing

When I say “Go” all you have to do is not think of a pink elephant

If it pops up in your mind at any time, even for a fraction of a second, you have to raise your hand

Time them

Intro of topic on Thoughts

This morning we are going to talk about how we can better take control of our thought life in a Biblical way.

Let me tell you why this is important.....because some of you here today have been struggling with:

Suicidal thoughts

Shame

Crippling Anxiety

Fear of future, fear of people, etc...

Thoughts of worthlessness

Insecurities, body image, lack of purpose

Lust

Unforgivness and Bitterness

And let me just say....everybody in this room.....camp leaders included....have mind battles

Just because you are a Christian, it doesn’t mean you won’t struggle with that anymore.

I’ve been a Christina for 28 years now....gave my life to Jesus when I was four, I still have to purpose daily to take control of my thoughts.

Our thought life is not a battle to win, it’s a tension to manage.

Our thoughts have power…often what comes into our head, doesn’t stay in our head

Thoughts can so easily drive our emotions and many times, our actions!

If our thoughts have that much control and power over us....

If my thoughts can produce fear, anxiety, lust, doubt, hatred, anger, pride, bitterness

Wouldn’t you think it would be important to take control of our thoughts?

Satan is a headhunter, your mind is his battlefield, your imagination is his trophy. (Wayne Cordeiro)

The Problem

As this picture proved, controlling our thoughts can be extremely difficult, specifically when it comes to “not thinking of something”

I told you not to think of a pink elephant, so what did you think of?

When it comes to our thought life....

For me to tell you to “just stop thinking of something” is about as helpful as telling you to not think of a pink elephant

Here’s why....

You don’t really have control over what thoughts or lies will pop into your mind, but you do have control over what you ponder on

Ponder - think about (something) carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion

You can’t control the pop, but you can control the ponder

Let me show you an example in Scripture where a man named David, went from pop to ponder,

then I want to give us something simple that you can do to help you control your thought life in a Biblical way.

Turn with me to 1 Samual 30, I want to show you a story where David switched from pop to ponder

Story of David

David and his men - 1 Samual 30:1-6

Background of story:

David had a group of men that he led and these men fought with David in several different battles.

On one such occasion, they left their homes for a battle.

but when they get home something terrible had happened. That’s where this story picks up.

1 Samuel 30:1-6

1 Samuel 30:1–6 (The Message)

1 Three days later, David and his men arrived back in Ziklag. Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag (where David and his men had been staying) They tore Ziklag to pieces and then burned it down. 2 They captured all the women, young and old. They didn’t kill anyone, but drove them like a herd of cattle. 3 By the time David and his men entered the village, it had been burned to the ground, and their wives, sons, and daughters all taken prisoner. 4 David and his men burst out in loud wails—wept and wept until they were exhausted with weeping. Skip down to verse 6.... 6 And suddenly David was in even worse trouble. There was talk among the men, bitter over the loss of their families, of stoning him.

Davids family was taken captive, his men’s families were taken captive, their homes destroyed, their possessions plundered, and now the men were talking about stoning David.

You have the crazy event that is sure to produce certain thoughts in David

If you came home one day, and your home burned down, and your entire family was gone, and all your possessions stolen....what are some thoughts you’d be having?

Why would God let this happen? Does He have no control?

I’m never going to see my family again, I don’t know if I will be able to go on after this

I’m a failure…I’ve let my family down, and my men down, I should give up.

I can’t imagine what kind of thoughts would have tried to pop into David’s mind...

Thoughts born out of this traumatic event

But the end of verse 6 says, “David strengthened himself with trust in his God.”

Reminded himself that God hasn’t lost control....He knows what He is doing, quoting God’s promises.

He turned his mind to God.

Let me point out something very specific about this:

Pink Elephant Flashback

Earlier when we were doing the pink elephant exercise, even though the pink elephant kept coming back up in your thoughts....what did you do to combat thinking about the pink elephant?

You thought of something else!

You can’t just get rid of a thought, you have to replace it.

What is it that consumes your mind, where you need to strengthen yourself by trusting God?

What thing that keeps popping into your mind?

You have to replace it. With what?

Philippians 4:8

Philippians 4:8 (ESV)

whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

So what do we need to do?

You need to fill your mind with the things of God, the promises of God, with good things

Testimony of Depression

Someone said this - Don’t chew your thoughts. Choose your thoughts.

This happens through prayer, thanksgiving, reminding yourself of what God says.

Your worthless.....God died for me because he loves me

You are a shame because of the things you’ve done or want to do....God said there is no condemnation for those who believe in Jesus

I hate that person and couldn’t forgive them....no God help me to show the forgiveness you’ve given me to others

Suicide is the way out......the God of the universe says he has a purpose for my life.

Let God’s Word reinforce your purposed thoughts, and not your emotions reinforce your poisoned thoughts.

That pink elephant might keep popping up in your mind, but you say nope....I’m not going to go there.....and as you do that over time....it gets a little easier.

Science

As you replace the devils lies with God’s truth. You cut new neural pathways that eventually take root in the neurobiology of your body itself

E.g Li ke water flowing down a hill

You literally become what you give your mind to

Conclusion

What has been your pink elephant this week?

What is the thought, the doubt, the fear, the anger that has been fighting for your attention

I want to leave you with one simple tool for your thought life.

Take out a paper and pen…

Clarify

Before I tell you this tool, I want to be very clear about a couple of things

Firstly, this tool is not a one-size fits all circumstances type of tool.

In other words, don’t take this exercise and think, this is all I need to do with my thought life and all I need for mental health

It is not a replacement for counseling or therapy if it’s needed

It is not a replacement for accountability and expressing our thoughts, needs, and sins in a safe community

This is just one tool of many tools we can use in taking control of our thought lives,

Secondly, this exercise is not meant to minimize our losses in hard circumstances or to be a suppressor of our emotions

In the passage we read, it says that David and his men wept until they were exhausted with weeping, and then he sought God

We need to mourn our losses, we can’t suppress our emotions

This exercise can be helpful specifically in combatting the lies of the enemy when he tries to take advantage of your weakness during times of loss and intense emotion

But it is in no way meant to minimize our losses or emotions

Application - The Tool

Having said that, here is the tool:

Write down these three questions (leave enough space under each question for an answer)

What’s the thought, feeling, and/or sensation?

What’s the lie beneath the thought, feeling, and/or sensation that reveals your attachment?

What’s the truth?

Not “what is your truth”....”what is the truth”

You and I don’t have truths.....we have preferences and opinions, but the truth will always take precedence over my preference and opinion.

Example:

What’s the thought, feeling, and/or sensation?

I get anxious thinking about my past mistakes.

What’s the lie beneath the thought, feeling, and/or sensation that reveals your attachment?

Articulate the lie behind the thought under the anxiety

I’m still under the condemnation of God, so I have to prove my commitment to Him somehow.

What’s the truth?

Combat the lie with a Scriptural truth.

Whenever the thought/feeling/lie comes back…turn to the truth.

Romans 8:1 - There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

This won’t be easy, but I promise you it is worth it!

Discussion Questions

What are some mind battles that you know your friends deal with?

How have your thoughts controlled different areas of your life?

What are some practical changes you can make right now to help combat some of the poisoned thoughts?

What was your biggest takeaway?