I love Max Lucado’s way of speaking and profound knowledge, He has a way of adding scripture and analyzing the words used to explain his point in a meaningful way.
I also loved the way the concepts were laid out. The chapters were structured in an easy to follow toolkit; easy to understand and recall.
A refreshing perspective on a topic that we ALL probably are in need of!
Questions in the back would means this a great group study too!

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Nelson Books for giving me an e-ARC.

Tame Your Thoughts is another excellent Bible study from Max Lucado. Lucado offers practical advice through stories and Biblical teaching for those who need help focusing their thoughts. If you enjoyed other Bible studies by Max Lucado, particularly Anxious for Nothing, add Tame Your Thoughts to your to be read pile. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Based on the Bible, this book has something for everyone. As someone who sometimes struggles with negative thinking, this book can help you refocus on positive things and help you work to change your outlook. While not a replacement for therapy or medication needed when facing a chemical imbalance, this book is helpful if you would like to regroup in a more positive mindset.

The Bible warns us that our thoughts have consequences. Numerous times, we're challenged to "take every thought captive." But what do we do when we're hounded by chaos and regret? Swirling thoughts that leave us confused and depleted?

In Tame Your Thoughts, author Max Lucado identifies three thought-management tools and applies them to some of today's most common problems: worry, anxiety, and other mental traps that threaten to keep us from the full life of Christ. In this battle of the mind, Lucado uses the Bible to help his readers combat toxic thoughts by:

*taking every thought captive
*renewing our minds
*testing our thoughts against Scripture
*and interrupting destructive thought patterns!

Tame Your Thoughts is Biblically rich, and Lucado does a thorough job of making it practical to today's world. He reminds his reader how important it is to take our thoughts captive and not create stories in our heads. Furthermore, he doesn't just show what we're trying to avoid, but rather creates a vision for the glorious life that awaits all of us as we mature in our thought life. This book includes questions for further reflection and would make a great resource for a small group study. While a lot of the focus is on worry, the tools outlined apply to a variety of scenarios. This is a great book for anyone wanting to mature in their thinking,

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I was interested in this book as a gift for my sister who suffers from mental illness that's rooted primarily in negative thinking. This is an extremely easy read and so in line with what the Lord started showing me several years ago through other sources. The key to victorious living is right believing about God - who He is and how He sees me. Max provides clear outlines in this book for spotting thoughts that he calls UFOs (Untruth building to a False narrative leading to Overreaction) and provides clear and actionable steps for rooting those out and replacing them with right thoughts that are grounded in Christ. Highly recommend this book - easy to read, straightforward, and grounded in the Word of God - God's help, not self-help.

I read a critic on another site that fussed about this book being simplistic and not nuanced enough for mental health, but I think we over-complicate everything, and this book gets to the central root: trust God and focus on Him.

At first, I thought this book was going to ok. Lucado admitted depression was a real issue with a chemical imbalance that needed to be seen by a doctor. Then he went downhill, saying that you needed to see a Christian therapist and implying that, possibly, maybe, if you absolutely had to and there wasn't any other way, take drugs.
Basically, Lucado believes you need to refuse Satan's evil thoughts and let God's wonderful words in.

That isn't going to help a chemical imbalance, and it'sn't going to help an abusive marriage. Please see a psychiatrist and a real therapist instead of following this book's suggestions.

Headline: Stinky Thinking

The theme of this book is to understand that we can manage our lives by managing our thoughts. Scripture tells us "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2) Which to me means encouragement to Christians regarding a deep rethinking and not doing what the world expects.Be careful what you think.

Chapter One holds a powerful title: "Think About What You Think About" and for this reader the full chapter helped me to remain mindful of Romans 12:2. A bonus is the toolkit the author shared, tools that will support you in thinking clearly. See below
Practice picky thinking: Guard your thoughts
Identify UFOS: untruths creates a False narrative that leads to an Overreaction.
Uproot and Replant: weed out unhealthy thoughts

Lastly I loved the reflection questions at the end, one question that will sit with me long after flicking my finger is # 1 - describing my thought life and spending time thinking about WHAT I think about.

In exchange for my thoughtful and honest review I received a galley copy.
Thank you NetGalley

This book provides a great blueprint for taking control of our thoughts. Once we start thinking about how much time we devote to thinking harmful thoughts, it can be shocking.

✨Thank you NetGalley and Nelson Books for this advanced readers copy!✨

When I was first building a relationship back up with God, as an adult, one of the first books I got my hands on was a Max Lucado book. I didn’t know how I felt at first because it was so biblical and I had to look a lot of it up. Fast forard and my relationship has such a strong foundation because of his books. Reading this one helped me get back on track with an area I struggle hard with, my negative thoughts. As a Christian, I appreciate this book because it contained relatable material and situations, was easy to read/follow, and I learned from it what I haven’t other places. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly suggest for anyone that is looking to be more aware of their thoughts and how to bring your struggles to God in that moment.

Tame Your Thoughts: Three Tools to Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life by Max Lucado, narrated by the author himself, was an enlightening read. Lucado’s three-step method, UFO: An Untruth, presents a false narrative that triggers an overreaction, a concept soundly supported by scripture. I listened to the audiobook version, but I also had a physical copy. Lucado emphasizes the importance of mindful and tested picky thinking, urging us to take control of our thoughts. I found this book both helpful and biblical. If you’re struggling with persistent thoughts that are causing you distress, I believe this book could be a valuable resource for finding freedom and transformation. Thanks, Thomas Nelson via NetGalley.

I really enjoyed this study. I recommend having the book as a companion just so you can highlight and bookmark etc so you can revisit certain parts.

A great book teaching you that thoughts have power.
By changing your thoughts, you can change your outlook on life!

Max Lucado has a gift for taking big biblical truths and making them simple, practical, and encouraging. Tame Your Thoughts is full of wisdom, scripture, and reminders that our thought life can either weigh us down or lift us closer to God. It’s uplifting, easy to follow, and left me with tools I can carry into my daily walk of faith.

Max Lucado still has it. Some truths are just timeless, and Max understands what it takes to be a soldier on the battlefield of the mind.

Using scripture, long-time successful author, spiritual leader, and pastor, Max Lucado, takes the reader on a journey through the landscape of the mind, encouraging the use of several tools needed for combat. We all battle negative thoughts that are allowed to take up too much space and live rent-free in our brains. Lucado identifies the importance of practicing:
1. Picky thinking
2. Not allowing U.F.O.s in - untruths, false narratives, and over reactions
3. Contagious joy vs. contingent joy
4. Uprooting lies and replanting truth
5. Contentment

"Unmet expectations are the groundwork for U.F.O.s"
Preach, Max! 🙌

Depending on the severity of the situation, this book would be best used as a supplement to mental health medical attention, if needed. Lucado does mention the use of a therapist briefly, but it should be stated that no amount of willful taming, however true the scripture or concept, can solve all challenging mental and chemical imbalances. As we learn more about mental health in the 21st century, we must meet the needs of each individual where they are, while spurring them on to an identity in Christ. This book is not opposed to this, but I do believe there should have been a PSA regarding seeking professional help if the reader or someone they love is dealing with mental illness. Otherwise, much of this could easily come across as toxic positivity to the unbeliever or to one who is suffering deeply. That being said, the valuable tools presented in this book are very practical and resonate deeply with every believer. I certainly will be putting these nuggets of wisdom into practice. I hope this book does well. We cannot be reminded enough that we must be intentional with what we allow into our minds.

" We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." - 2 Corinthians 10:5

A special thank you to NetGalley, Max Lucado, and Nelson Books for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Great devotional that utilizes scripture and great stories that apply to Taming Your thoughts, renewing your mind and tweaking our attitude.

Individual and group study with additional video capabilities.

In the book Tame Your Thoughts, author and pastor Max Lucado, writes about what the title says – our thoughts. Lucado writes: “Just for the fun of it, I attempted to count them. Thoughts. How many thoughts bounce around inside my head? As long as I can recall, I’ve had them, heard them, heeded them, and, at times, hated them. But I’ve never counted them. No simple task. Try it sometime. Take a pen and paper and make a mark each time you have a thought. Mark. Mark. Dot. Dash. Stroke. That’s what I did. I felt like a telegraph operator from a century past.”
Lucado continues: “Thoughts. We cannot see them. We cannot buy them. We cannot always predict them. But we cannot deny this about them: They define our lives. Think well, live well. Think poorly, live poorly. It’s no wonder that God urges us to "be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts" (Prov. 4:23 gnt).”
But Lucado does not just emphasis the importance of our thoughts but gives the reader Biblical ways to tame those thoughts. This is a solid book with easy to follow steps to help the reader tame their thoughts. I would highly recommend this book. I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely love Max Lucado writings. I]'ve been a fan of Max writing since 2017 and everything he writes makes you go into deep thought!
This is definitely be one of my top reads of 2025.

Tame Your Thoughts by Max Lucado provides helpful tools for managing your thoughts and renewing your life. Tame Your Thoughts goes onto covering common thought issues and applying the tools along with scripture to renew your life.

I have completed a number of Max Lucado books through Bible study and on my own that I very much enjoyed reading. I like how Max Lucado writes. It is easy to read, follow, and understand. When Max Lucado writes, he has scripture that supports what he is trying to say. The title, Tame Your Thoughts, caught my interest and Max Lucado presented the topic where I could easy follow and grasp.

I highly recommend Tame Your Thoughts by Max Lucado to anyone enjoys reading Max’s books and to someone who would like renew their life or to help a friend. The book is designed with “Questions for Reflections” so that it can be used for Bible study.

The book gives simple guidelines to transform the thoughts that have us captive. Max Lucado gives narratives of life events that we can identify with to uproot the stronghold of our thoughts. The book is exactly what the title reads - "Taming Your Thoughts," gives tools to help you manage your thoughts. Written in Max Lucado familiar style of mixing life events, scripture and cultivating a genuine solution to taming your thoughts.

What a great book! Have you ever gone to bed to have something that happened that day twirl in your mind and keep you up? Ever overreact to something? You NEED this book! Author Max takes us through a process to change this! Learn how to “uproot and rebuild lantern!” You won’t want to miss this read!!!