Do we ever figure it out? Sometimes we feel like we are in a funk, a haze, in a deep cave, lost… sometimes it hurts, our body physically hurts from what we are going through. Our thoughts, they are feeding us lies that we are hopeless, too far gone, unlovable and unworthy of love, help, or a second chance. We are tired and are no longer motivated. Sometimes it would be nice to go to sleep and not wake up so that we don’t have to face the troubles of life.
That’s how I feel sometimes. The funny thing is, last week I was on a high: waking up at 6am every morning for a workout. Eat a healthy breakfast and go to work. On my lunch break, I would read my devotion and meditate. It was beautiful sunny weather on the weekend (except for Saturday when it rained). I saw friends, was productive… What happened?
I am encouraged by Nancy Missler in Be Ye Transformed where she discusses whoever controls our thoughts controls our lives. “If Satan can direct our minds without our even being aware of it, by our simply choosing to go along with the tide of emotion, then he will also control our behavior.” (pg 53).
2 Corinthians 10:5b, “...take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Nancy continues with, “When God says take every thought captive, He doesn’t mean examine every single thought that we have. He means stop and take a good, hard look at the anxious thoughts, the hurtful ones, the doubtful ones, the frustrations, the anger, the pride, and all the other ‘emotional’ and self-centered thoughts that take away our peace.” Romans 14:23 teaches, “... whatever is not of faith is sin.”
What were my thoughts and where did they lead me? Nowhere good, and my goodness, no wonder I had a bad day! When I learned all these thoughts are sin, I was convicted. Do I still fall into these thinking patterns? Of course, I’m human. But you know what? I recognize them a whole lot quicker, and by the power of Christ in me, I change my thinking to what honors Him.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 KJV
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