Peace For The Mind, Part Two | Nancy Dufresne | Jesus the Healer Broadcast

Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Date: November 14, 2019
Host/Speaker: Pastor Nancy Dufresne

Episode Overview

In this episode, Pastor Nancy Dufresne continues her teaching on finding and maintaining peace in the mind, focusing on the practical spiritual discipline of renewing the mind with God's Word. Nancy emphasizes the importance of actively managing our thoughts, casting down negativity, and aligning with what God says rather than with fears, doubts, or past habits. She demonstrates, through scriptural example and personal stories, how transformation—and ultimately peace—comes through the consistent, deliberate renewing of our minds.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Battlefield of the Mind

• 2 Corinthians 10:5 as foundation:
  • "Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God..."
  • We must reject thoughts that contradict God's truth.
• “You don't let it run around in your head. You don't lay in bed and think about the what ifs.” (00:30)
• Undisciplined thinking gives the devil an entrance; transformation happens by renewing the mind, not just being born again.

Personal Responsibility in Renewing the Mind

• No one else can renew your mind for you—not your parents, not your pastor.
• “You can go to and attend a church that teaches and preaches the Word, but that doesn't mean your mind is renewed.” (02:18)
• The renewing process is daily and personal; it’s about what you think about, what you allow into your mind, and how you act.

Spiritual Authority & Renewed Thought Life

• 2 Timothy 1:7 – God gives a spirit of “power, love, and a sound mind”.
• Fear, anxiety, depression—these are invited by an undisciplined mind, not by the devil alone.
• Nancy emphasizes:
  • “You cannot cast the devil out of a mind that is undisciplined...” (05:20)
  • Long-term victory comes not just by deliverance, but by equipping people to answer back to troubling thoughts with the Word.
  • Quote: “The problem was not the devil. The problem was the unrenewed mind.” (08:00)

Importance of Meditation on the Word

• Joshua 1:8 as a practical instruction:
  • “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth... but thou shalt meditate therein day and night…”
• Biblical meditation means to “chew over,” “mutter,” and deeply consider God's words.
• Negative meditation (worry) is what most people do naturally; positive meditation is intentionally dwelling on God’s promises.
• Nancy gives a vivid demonstration on meditating:
  • “My God shall supply all my needs” – how to emphasize each word anew to root the promise deeply (27:00)

Success Hinges on Renewed Thinking

• “Our success is connected [to] what are we going to do with the Word?” (38:20)
• Prosperity is a daily lifestyle, not an occasional habit; success is the fruit of consistently aligning thought and behavior with scripture—not circumstances, not feelings.
• “You don't fix any part of you when you think someone else is to blame. God doesn’t play that game.” (46:10)

Real-World Application: Joshua & the Promised Land

• Israel’s wilderness wandering was due to unrenewed thinking, not God’s lack of power.
• “A mind that has not been meditating would not be so bold as to dare to tell the sun and the moon where to be.” (Referencing Joshua commanding the sun and moon to stand still, 55:30)
• Transformation and victory are accessible ONLY through renewed minds willing to believe and act on God’s power.

The Promise of Lasting Peace

• Isaiah 26:3: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.”
• God provides peace, but maintaining it requires us to practice keeping our thoughts fixed on Him and His Word.
• Memorable illustration: Comparing disciplining the mind to teaching dogs to “sit and stay” before getting treats.
  • “If you have a problem staying your mind on the word, you’re going to have a hard time getting your treats.” (1:01:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Mental Discipline:
  • “Quit playing that mental game. The devil will gain an entrance through that undisciplined mind.” (00:49)
• On Transformation:
  • “Our transformation takes place through only accepting God's thoughts and getting rid of any thought that's contrary...” (01:00)
• On Real Authority:
  • “The help is to give people the answer. Are there times that God will have you to minister to somebody who is weakened mentally? Absolutely. But if you... help them take authority over the devil, you still better tell them how to answer when you’re not around.” (09:38)
• On Meditating the Word:
  • "Worry is meditation in the negative direction." (28:30)
• On Blame vs. Responsibility:
  • “The renewed mind takes responsibility for its own actions and quits blaming somebody else. You don’t fix any part of you when you think someone else is to blame. God doesn’t play that game.” (46:10)
• On God’s Part vs. Our Part:
  • “God will keep him in perfect peace. But you have to practice staying when something’s trying to move you.” (1:02:06)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00 – 02:30: Foundational scriptures (2 Cor. 10:5), rejecting negative thoughts, introducing concept of renewing mind.
• 05:00 – 09:00: Discussion on discipline, fear, and spiritual authority; personal story about ministering to someone harassed by negative thoughts.
• 15:00 – 30:00: Meditation on the Word, Joshua 1:8; example of positive meditation and practical instruction on the process.
• 35:00 – 46:00: Connecting daily meditation to success in life; personal responsibility vs. blaming others.
• 55:00 – 58:00: Joshua’s bold faith—commanding the sun and moon; only a renewed mind makes space for the impossible.
• 1:01:00 – 1:04:00: Isaiah 26:3 and the illustration with dogs; holding the mind on God to ensure peace.

Conclusion

Pastor Nancy Dufresne’s message centers on the non-negotiable role of renewing the mind for a truly peaceful and victorious Christian life. Through scriptural foundations, practical meditation techniques, real-life examples, and memorable analogies, she arms listeners with tools and motivation to reject fear, consistently choose the power of the Word, and take personal responsibility for their thought lives. The episode closes with a vivid reminder: sustained peace is not God’s alone to give, but ours to maintain through steadfast focus on His truth.