Do you ever have trouble falling asleep when you go to bed? I do. Maybe, if you’re like me, your mind won’t shut down when your body does. I rehash conversations and people’s reactions from throughout the day, maybe even from a week or years ago. One of my regular exercises is jumping to conclusions. My mind can conjure up all kinds of suppositions about what others are thinking. I have complete conversations in my mind that never took place. Do you do that? So, what do you do to overcome your active mind to get it to quiet down so you can go to sleep?

Years ago, I went into a depression after losing a job that I loved. My mind was filled with negative thoughts all day and night. I came across a verse my brother had posted on his refrigerator that stopped me in my tracks. It was 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds), casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (KJV). I thought that’s impossible to do; I have a million thoughts swirling around at any one time. How on earth could I bring every thought captive? I walked away with no hope of even trying until God reminded me He was in control, and He could do it. I said, “Lord, how can I ever do that, and what am I supposed to think about?” Words from Philippians 4:8 began filtering through my mind: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (KJV).

I’m praising God today for changing the way I think and for healing me of depression. Now I still struggle to get my mind to shut down at times, but my reaction is different. I start praying and reminding myself of the things I’m to think about. I think how God fits all those eight categories in Philippians 4:8, and I begin praising Him. A lot of times, a song comes to mind, and I sing to God. (It helps that I live alone.) But, even if you don’t sing aloud, you can sing in your mind. Soon you will have brought those negative thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. I’m praying you’ll give this a try. Let me know how it works for you.