Sticky Thoughts

- June 23, 2026

The transition to summer vacation is a difficult one for a lot of kids. Routines, predictable schedules, and busyness often come to an abrupt halt when the end of the school year arrives. This can leave a lot of kids – and their parents – left with more time to spend thinking or pondering. This recently happened in our household as our rising first grader found herself with a sudden cessation of school year activities and a lot of extra time for her thoughts. It was a new experience helping our sweet girl to know that her mind is a gift from God, but sometimes we can get a “sticky thought” that leaves us with unhappy, upset or worried feelings.

It is easy for us as embodied creatures to be overcome by thought spirals. The mind is an active place! The Cleveland Clinic estimates that humans have between 50,000 to 70,000 thoughts a day. That doesn’t just include “complete thoughts” but all rapid, involuntary and subconscious brain activity like processing sights and sounds. While some people have a natural tendency to process a thought and let it go, many people can get stuck on a thought – whether it is a happy, sad, or worried thought.

In 2 Corinthians 5:10, the Apostle Paul provides a powerful exhortation: “We destroy argument and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” Take every thought captive! How do we do this as adults, let alone teach it to our children?

First, I would encourage all of us to be confident that God is at work in us. His redemptive plan is that we would be fully alive in Christ! This includes in our minds. While we cannot neglect or minimize the reality of true mental health conditions, we can and must acknowledge that our thought lives matter a great deal! Scripture offers a variety of encouragement and instruction to get us started as we practice the powerful discipline of taking our thoughts “captive” and making them obedient to the teachings of Jesus. Here are a few that have helped me.

Reflect – Psalm 139: 23-24 invites God to search our hearts and minds, allowing us to become aware of our thoughts, attitudes, and ways. As we become aware of what thoughts we are allowing to dwell in our minds, we can grow in knowing which thoughts honor God and the teachings of Christ.
Release – Galatians 5:1 reminds us that “for freedom Christ has set us free” and we are no longer held to strong holds because of His power in us. We have the Holy Spirit to help us release our “sticky” thoughts and not be held in bondage to them as we grow in knowing the truth of God’s Word.
Renew – Romans 12:2 exhorts us to “be transformed by the renewal of your minds.” In Christ we have been made new creations who are growing through the Holy Spirit to be fully alive in Christ. This includes transformed patterns of thinking! Learning a new pattern requires intentional practices like reading Scripture, prayer, meditation. Connection in Gospel-centered community is supportive and nurturing for transformation. There may also be seasons of life that require additional help such as that from a Biblical Counselor to grow in thinking patterns and strategies.
Redeem – Romans 8:1 encourages us that “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.” There may be days or seasons that we fall into old patterns. But friends, we are not to be ashamed. The Gospel has redeemed us to God! We can practice preaching the Gospel to ourselves as God’s redeemed people, and know the truth that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. There may be repentance involved, but this is a part of the redeemed life! The Greek word for repentance is the word metenoia, which means “a change in mind” or “a different mind.” The redemption of our minds involves God’s work in changing how we process our whole lives.

“Sticky thoughts” are a part of our lives as we navigate a broken world. In Christ, we can grow in being fully alive in our minds. Through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and the healing ministry of the Body of Christ, breakthroughs and transformed lives and minds happen! Praise God, He is the author and redeemer of it all, making all things new.