Many thoughts assail us in the midst of suffering, to the point of questioning all that we believe. How do we guard our minds and fight against such thoughts when our hearts are so weary?

We know that we’re supposed to discern the words of the world we absorb and make sure they’re in line with Scripture. But what about the thoughts that rattle around in our own minds? Do we ever take stock of the ideas swirling around our minds and hold them up to God’s Word? Or have we become so used to hearing them that we’ve attributed them to ourselves—or even God himself?

Rather than dealing with the grief of your situation, do you project unnecessary judgments about yourself, your situation, or others? To help us better cope with our suffering, therapists have created a coping skill known as radical acceptance. As believers, we can use radical acceptance paired with our hope in Christ to help us through our suffering.

More than six million people in the United States alone face intrusive thoughts. Perhaps you’re one of those people. And perhaps like me, these thoughts rattle you and your faith at times. What’s wrong with me? How can I, one redeemed by Christ and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, experience these kinds of disturbing, violent, or sexual thoughts?

As those who have been redeemed by the gospel, we should have heavenly thoughts. But how do we do this? How do we take those thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ? By installing Philippians 4:8 as a guard over our minds.

With the admonition to be slow to speak should come the caveat, Be slow to assume. Our relationships within the church could be more unified if we remember the grace and charity we have been shown by Christ, who knew the depths and sins of our hearts, and seek to show charity to one another in our assumptions of each others words and motives.