2 Corinthians 10:5
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;
Most of the battles that we fight in the Christian walk is in our head. Most people do not succumb to Satan’s temptations, though some do; however, most believers struggle with what their mind imagines and not with what is reality. For instance, a person who is about ready to step out by faith struggles with what might happen when nothing has really happened yet. What might happen often never happens, and that is why you should not worry about the “what ifs” of life. What you concern yourself with is an imagination. Satan knows that he can defeat you if he can get you to fight battles in your mind. Let me share several things I do to keep the battle of imaginations from defeating me.
First, I realize that it is an imagination and not reality. The sooner you accept that you are fighting a battle in your mind, the sooner you will be able to move on from what you are concerned about. Because I know that it is an imagination and not reality, I realize that it will likely never happen. You must differentiate between reality and imagination if you are to win this spiritual war that you are fighting in your mind.
Second, I don't spend mental energy on the “what ifs.” Mental energy wasted on “what ifs” pulls that energy away from what you need it for. If I waste my mind thinking about handling imaginations, I will waste all my time trying to come up with solutions. The problem with putting mental energies into the “what ifs” is that once you engage your imagination, it will begin to run wild because you are feeding it. Too much time is often wasted on non-reality issues when that energy could be used on dealing with real-life issues.
Third, I realize that God has always cared for me in the past, and He will care for me now if the “what if” becomes reality. God has always been there for you with your problems, and He is sure to be there for you when something happens. To worry about an imagination is not to trust God with your life. Trusting God with your life means you also trust Him with your future and whatever it holds. The sooner you get to trusting God with your future, the sooner you can lay down the worries that imaginations cause.
Fourth, I cast my problems on God in prayer. God commands me to cast all my care upon Him, and part of that care are the worries you have with life. The only time you should spend mental energy on an imagination is in prayer. Let God know what you are worried about, give it to Him, and move on in life once you are done praying. Let God care for the “what ifs” of your life. He’s the only one who can truly care for your problems anyway, so give them to Him because He wants to care for them.
Fifth, I get busy so that I don't think about my problems. The busier you get serving the LORD, the less time you have to think about the “what ifs.” When I am busy serving the LORD, I don't have time to think about my imaginations because I am placing my mental energies on what I am working on. I have found that staying busy for the LORD does more to care for my imaginations than anything else. You will also find that when God gives you a victory because you stayed busy, it will give you confidence that God will care for the imaginations as well. Stay busy, and imaginations will never rule your life.