Pastor Craig Groeschel believes that most of life’s battles are won or lost in the mind. In his book and sermon series Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life, Groeschel explains how negative thoughts, runaway fears, and irrational worries shape our lives—and how the truth of God’s Word can transform the way we think.
Why the Battle of the Mind Matters
“It’s almost impossible to have a positive life when you have a negative mind,” Craig Groeschel told his congregation. He described how easily small worries spiral into irrational fears. What begins as concern over a grade or a job can quickly become anxiety about the future, finances, or family.
Behind this mental battle is the brain itself. Groeschel pointed to the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for the fight-or-flight response. It is hardwired to keep us safe, but it often triggers false alarms. That’s where another God-given tool, the prefrontal cortex, comes in to help us think logically and override fear with reason.
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Craig Groeschel on Anxiety and the Power of Prayer
Groeschel emphasized that the apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 4 still hold true: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Prayer, he said, is not our last line of defense but our first line of offense. And it doesn’t just move the heart of God—it also changes the brain. Groeschel referenced research from Dr. Caroline Leaf showing that 12 minutes of daily prayer over an eight-week period can actually rewire the brain, something neurologists now recognize as neuroplasticity.
“Just as toxic thoughts harm your brain, prayer heals and transforms your brain,” Craig Groeschel said.
