Hurt But Not Held BackSample

Step 2 - Install an air purifier. 

Air purifiers remove contaminants from the air. To purify means to free from undesirable elements. When we walk through the fires of life, it is vital to refuse to allow our circumstances to contaminate our minds. It can be tempting to dwell on the negative things that have happened to us, to wallow in our hurt and disappointment. If we are not going to be held back by the hurt, we have to purify our minds, thoughts, hearts, words, and actions. That’s easy to say, but how do we actually accomplish this? 

First, we recognize we are not fighting a battle of flesh and blood. It is impossible to use natural weapons to fight spiritual things. We must use the tools found in the Word of God to defeat the enemy that comes against us. 

Is there a better time to buckle the belt of truth around your waist than when you’re in the midst of hurt? When in pain, it is helpful to take some time to sit down, examine scripture, journal what I know to be true about God, and contemplate what I know to be true about me. You might be surprised at the amount of clarity the Holy Spirit will give you when you’re searching God’s heart for that truth.

Second, we have to learn to take every thought captive and examine it to see whether it is from God or not. Paul encourages us to purify our minds by “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NKJV). We have to ask ourselves: Is this a thought that lines up with God’s Word? Is this something I should allow myself to think? If I continue to think on this, will it have a positive or negative result? 

Philippians 4:8 gives us the standard for the only thoughts we should allow in our minds by fixing our “thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Any thought that doesn’t meet this criteria has to be removed quickly and replaced with one that does. 

The purification process takes effort; it involves discipline and dependence. A huge step in healing will involve the purification of our minds, thoughts, hearts, words, and actions. Purification continues to grow our confidence and provide us with peace.