Take Every Thought Captive

Everything is the same for Floyd.  We continue to pray for protection for the hospital staff, for the patients, and for Floyd.

Many years ago when we were working with hippies in Afghanistan, the Lord spoke to me about being "real."  I felt so out of place in working with these young people because I was so very different to them.  I was so "clean cut" - and here we were working with all these long haired hippies.  The Lord spoke very clearly to my heart and said that as long as I was real in being who I was, I would be accepted.  I didn't need to be like them.  I just needed to be true to myself, to who God had made me to be.  It was so freeing!  And what He said was right - I was accepted and "fit" in because I was myself.  It was a good life lesson.  I have tried to live like that ever since. 

When I have openly shared my needs in this blog or the updates that I send out, I've gotten some sad feedback.  Several have written to say that when they've shared needs with other believers, they've been told they just need more faith - it's their fault.  No comfort, no understanding - just rebuke.  I could understand because I've gotten rebukes like that in times past. In fact I got a horrible rebuke like that from someone I didn't even know right after Floyd got sick.  I've never been able to comprehend how loving Christians can respond in that way to one another.

In one particular time when someone had rebuked me for sharing a need and said I should repent and have more faith.......I felt the Lord reminded me of when Jesus was getting ready to face the cross.  He was on earth in human form.  He faced every need and temptation that we face.  He cried out to the Father - "if possible let this cup pass from me."  He knew what was coming.  He knew how hard it was going to be.  He was admitting His need.  He didn't hide it from the Father.  His prayer showed His humanity, and, yes, His honesty.  I thanked the Lord for this example of being "real" and of being open and honest.

When we're going through a hard time, we don't need people to correct us and tell us how bad we are - especially if we've been vulnerable in opening our hearts to them in our need.  We need love, affirmation, encouragement, support, a kind word.  We need more encouragers.  The world has plenty of critics!  In the midst of this hard season that we are all walking through may we look for ways to build one another up, help one another, and definitely pray for one another.  I am truly eternally grateful for those who are doing that for Floyd, for our family, and for me. 

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up."  1 Thessalonians 5:11

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."  2 Corinthians 1:3,4

"Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen."  Ephesians 4:29

"Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up."  Proverbs 12:25

"Encourage one another daily."  Hebrews 3:13

A word of encouragement during a time of need or failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success!  Let's look for opportunities to share "a word of encouragement."

I've had a couple sweet answers to prayer recently.  My prayer list is long - so it's always encouraging when I can tick something off!  The Lord seems to know how to lovingly encourage my heart.

In recent days I've had a number of things come up that have been stressing and difficult.  One morning in particular I was feeling quite overwhelmed.  As I was lifting things to the Lord, I felt Him reminding me of some important principles.

I thought of the verse from 2 Corinthians 10:5 "to take every thought captive."  I realized afresh that I can't dwell on the hard, stressful, and difficult things that are pressing in on me.  The more I dwell on them, the bigger and harder they seem.  I must take those thoughts captive and take them to the Lord.  It seems so simple, but sometimes it's challenging.  However, when I do that - the things I'm concerned about get in their proper perspective from God's viewpoint.  He enables me to release them into His hands.

When I take control of my thoughts, take them captive, it allows me handle them in a Godly way - not just react to them.  As my mindset changes, then I'm able to handle things in a better way.  I can ask the Holy Spirit then to guide and direct me in dealing with the things consuming my thoughts.

I also remembered how David "strengthened himself in the Lord."  1 Samuel 30:6  In the midst of a very distressing time when his men were upset and thinking of stoning him - David turned to God for strength.  I have done that so, so many times in the last few years.  But I needed to do it again in this current time!

On the morning when I was feeling so overwhelmed, I asked two friends to pray for me.  The third thing the Lord reminded me of was to take things one-day-at-a-time.  Just as I was thinking that over, my friend sent me this verse from The Message, Matthew 6:34.  "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow.  God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."

It sounds so simple!  And yet so often my mind races ahead.  God's grace is sufficient for each day - but he doesn't give us a week's worth at a time.  Only a day at a time.  If I keep my focus on today, He'll help me.

Taking my thoughts captive, strengthening myself in the Lord, and living one-day-at-a-time......simple but powerful principles for helping me deal with all the overwhelming things I was facing.  I'm so grateful for His reminding me of how to deal with all that was on my heart and mind.

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  Isaiah 40:31 

"Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."  Philippians 4:8

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."  Isaiah 26:3

"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he."  Proverbs 23:7

I've lived by these wonderful principles for years......especially in recent years.  And yet, it's easy in the pressure of new burdens to forget the tools God has given us.  I'm grateful for His gracious reminders to my heart of His ways.