Anchor 2: Take Every Thought Captive – Destroy the Fortresses of Your Old Identity

Transform Your Trading Identity Series

 2 Corinthians 10:3–5 (AMP)

For though we walk in the flesh [as mortal men], we are not carrying on our [spiritual] warfare according to the flesh and using weapons of man. The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ.

                       

No one chooses where or when they are born. Some enter safety and warmth; others, brokenness and violence.

We exist.

We are alive.

We must move forward.

We must grow.

Building on Anchor 1, our identities are first shaped by our environment—parents, family, teachers, culture—and then strengthened by our own beliefs and experiences.

We absorb patterns before we even know what a pattern is. 

Then we start building our own.

For many of us, that building process becomes a fortress—strong, defended, and very hard to tear down.

So how do we ensure we continue to renew our minds and not conform to the patterns of this world?

We cannot rely on physical or man-made tools to keep our minds on the right trajectory. 

If we lean on material solutions, what happens when they fail?

When they work, they provide relief, peace, and pride that our decision to make that thing a part of us was the right one.

When they fail, where does our mind go?

In trading, we build confidence on technical tools—EMAs, VWAP, volume profiles, order flow, support/resistance. 

We feel like we’ve got it figured out. 

But do these tools really bring lasting peace and abundance?

Strategies built on them just make the solution more complex.

The hidden truth lies in their failure.

When these man-made tools fail, what happens to you?

How do you behave?

What do you feel?

What thoughts arise?

If we strongly believe in something, we can stay in denial for a long time.

A strong belief in knowledge/learning leads to trying something new and learning more.

A strong belief in being right leads to a refusal to let go, demanding proof we’re correct.

A strong belief that money requires hard work leads to the sabotage of ease/success.

The tools we create do not solve the underlying problem.

Our identities are built from many fortresses forged by beliefs and experiences.

We must take every thought captive and make it obedient to what God has said.

What Thoughts Rise When You Lose?

When you take a loss, what thoughts come to mind immediately?

• I know I shouldn’t have taken the trade.

• I followed the plan, and it didn’t work. It failed.

• I thought it was going to go in my direction.

• I thought it would bottom, so I added more.

If losses keep coming, what beliefs take root?

• I’m a failure.

• I’m not smart enough.

• I’m not a good trader.

• I need to find another setup.

• When I take what I’m supposed to, it doesn’t work. When I don’t, it works.

These are not passing thoughts. 

Over time, they become fortresses—sophisticated arguments and proud things that set themselves up against the true knowledge of God.

We must destroy these fortresses with the divinely powerful weapons described in the above passage. 

These thoughts oppose God’s truth. 

They must be taken captive and made obedient to Christ.

Move beyond them.

Do not let them fester and break you down.

Be aware of them. If they do not align with God, demolish them.

Only thoughts aligned with truth anchor us to our true identity.

Losses are inevitable in trading.

Change your perspective with God’s Word:

• I lost, but I’m grateful for this lesson.

• I lost, but I barely got stopped out—I was on the right track.

• I lost, but I followed my plan.

The same applies to wins. 

If we win, pride can take over. 

And being prideful is not of God.

Pride Is Never Part of God’s Design for Our Identity

Pride is a distortion of our true identity—a sinful tendency that separates us from God and others. 

It is something we are called to reject and put off as we renew our minds and live in our God-given identity.

God does not give us pride as part of our identity. 

He gives us humility as part of our restored identity in Christ.

Pride is part of the old self we are commanded to put off.

Humility is part of the new self we are commanded to put on.

Our True God-Given Identity Is Marked by Humility, Not Pride

Pride is a lie about our identity.

Pride says:

“I am self-sufficient.”

“I don’t need God.”

“My worth comes from my performance/achievements.”

God says:

“You are dependent on Me” (Acts 17:28 — “In him we live and move and have our being”).

“Your worth comes from being loved and chosen by Me” (Ephesians 1:4–6; 1 John 3:1).

“Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Every time pride rises, it is a false identity asserting itself—a remnant of the old self trying to reassert control.

In trading, pride shows up as:

• Refusing to take a loss because “I can’t be wrong.”

• Over-trading to prove “I’m good/smart.”

• Ignoring rules because “I know better now.”

These are not God-given traits. 

They are distortions of the steward identity He gave you—the faithful, humble manager who trusts God’s provision (Philippians 4:19), obeys His wisdom (James 1:5), and rests in His peace (Isaiah 26:3).

Bottom Line

Pride is not an identity God gave you.

Pride is a false identity we inherited from the fall and reinforced through sin.

Your true God-given identity is humble, dependent, loved, chosen, and called to reflect Christ’s humility (Philippians 2:5–8).

When you steward your mind daily (Romans 12:2), you are not protecting pride—you are putting it off and putting on the humble, renewed identity Christ purchased for you.

That’s the transformation you’re chasing—and it’s already yours in Him.

Keep dying to pride. 

Keep rising in humility.

The market—and life—will reflect that new identity.

The False Identities That Emerge from Consistent Losing & Winning

A more comprehensive way to view this is:

When you consistently LOSE in trading and the drawdowns pile up, dangerous false identities take root. 

They’re subtle, self-reinforcing, and hard to see while you’re in them. 

Here are the most common ones, how they form, and how they sabotage you.

“I Am a Failure / Loser” (Shame-Based)

After enough red days, emotion shifts from “I made bad trades” to “I am bad at this” to “I am a failure.”

What are the warning signs that you are building this type of identity?

• Expecting to lose before every session, second-guessing in real time, and losses feel personal.

How does this impact your behavior? 

• Premature exits on winners, revenge trading, and shrinking size to the point of paralysis.

“I Am Unlucky / Cursed / The Market Hates Me” (Victim/Helpless)

Randomness and bad timing lead to “it’s not me, it’s fate.”

What are the warning signs that you are building this type of identity?

•  You say to yourself, “The market always stops me out,” then you stop trusting your edge, and feel powerless.

How does this impact your behavior?

• You abandon rules, widen your stops, and develop a sense of learned helplessness.

“I Must Prove Myself / I Am Not Enough Unless I Win” (Performance-Based)

Losses trigger shame. This shame leads to a doubling down to prove worth.

What are the warning signs that you are building this type of identity? 

• Wins validate you, losses prove you are worthless, and you chase trades to feel “okay.”

How does this impact your behavior?

• You over-trade and always seem to be a rider in an emotional rollercoaster.

“I Am Smarter Than the Market / I Deserve to Win” (Prideful/Entitled)

Losses feel like injustice (“I know more; the market is wrong”).

What are the warning signs that you are building this type of identity? 

• You argue with price, you hold losers, and dismiss losing streaks.

How does this impact your behavior? 

• You ignore stops, average down on losers, and refuse to adapt.

When you consistently WIN, seductive false identities emerge:

“I Am Invincible / I’ve Figured It Out” (Arrogant)

Green streak convinces you the edge is unbreakable.

What are the warning signs that you are building this type of identity? 

• You increase risk, you ignore rules, you strive to have inevitable wins.

How does this impact your behavior? 

• You over-leverage, skip risk management, and refuse to adapt.

“I Am My Wins / My Worth Is in Performance” (Achievement)

Success ties worth to results.

What are the warning signs that you are building this type of identity?

• Euphoria after wins, anxiety after pullbacks, you idolize stats as a way to self-measure.

How does this impact your behavior?

• You chase wins, tighten rules after a loss, and experience emotional swings.

“I Am Special / The Market Owes Me” (Entitled)

Wins feel like destiny.

What are the warning signs that you are building this type of identity?

• You expect wins, feel owed, and dismiss variance.

How does this impact your behavior?

• You hold losers, ignore drawdowns, and resent variance when it hits.

“I Am Self-Sufficient / I Don’t Need Help” (Isolated)

Success makes you believe you mastered it on your own.

What are the warning signs that you are building this type of identity? 

• You skip journaling, you isolate, and you skip rest/prayer.

How does this impact your behavior? 

• You generate blind spots, you burn out, and you spiral when the drawdown hits.

All of these are counterfeit identities.

None comes from God.

All protect the self that needs to die.

The Anchor That Protects Against Both Sides

Your true God-given identity is never tied to results—win or lose.

It is:

• A beloved child of God (1 John 3:1)

• A new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)

• A faithful steward (1 Corinthians 4:2)

• Renewed in mind and anchored in peace (Romans 12:2; Isaiah 26:3)

Ask these questions to yourslef especially when you’re winning.

Ask:

“Am I loving God fully right now, or am I loving my P&L / ego more?”

“Am I loving others as myself, or am I becoming isolated and self-focused?”

These questions protect you from both sides: 

Shame in loss, pride in wins.

The market will keep mirroring you.

Make sure it’s reflecting the real you—the one God already made.

You’re not invincible.

You’re not your wins.

You’re not owed anything.

You’re not alone.

You’re His.

That’s enough.

Disclaimer: This is inspirational and mindset-focused content only, not financial advice. Trading involves significant risk of loss. Always do your own research and consult qualified professionals.

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