We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, (2 Corinthians 10:5) NASB
Yesterday I wrote about how our words affect our lives. Today I want to take it a step further and look at our thought life. Many people think it’s not possible to control their thoughts . . . that they simply “are.” I don’t agree. Some thoughts may be more intrusive than others, but we always have a choice as to what we will think.
Sound impossible? Stop right now and think about a time when you were happy. Think of something that brought you joy. A first kiss. The first time you saw a newborn baby. An exciting Christmas day. Try to picture it in your mind. Try to capture those feelings until it is almost like you are back in that time.
Next, think of a time when you felt disappointed about something. Don’t pick a biggie – something that devastated you, just a time you were disappointed. Maybe it rained when you wanted a sunny day. Maybe you didn’t get that special gift for Christmas. Perhaps you expected to go on a trip, but got ill. Think on it for a minute or two. Again, try to picture it in your mind. Try to capture that disappointing time.
Now, go back to that first time you thought of, the time when you felt happy and allow yourself to re-experience that happy time.
What I am hoping that you experienced is the fact that you controlled your emotions in this little experiment. And you controlled them by your thoughts. We have much more control over our thoughts than we imagine we do. And how do I know this is true? Because the Bible itself tells us! It tells us that we are to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
God would not require something of us that we were unable to do! I will grant you it is not easy. We are so steeped in being run by our emotions and letting our thought life have it’s way, that we do not realize that we are the one’s in control. And we have the power of God on our side!
We may feel this is something that we cannot possibly accomplish, but for now, start thinking of those unwanted thoughts as something you can take captive – and banish. Consider the possibility that it is true. You proved it if you did the above exercise! It may have been hard, but it IS possible. You do not have to be enslaved by your thoughts.
That in itself is a great thought! Just knowing you do not have to be enslaved by the thoughts that lead to the feelings and the words that bring you and others down. It is not hopeless. It’s a possibility! Remember, with God – NOTHING is impossible!
Father God, once again, thank you for your promises. You have promised that we do not have to be imprisoned by our thoughts. That we can bring them to Christ and honor Him with the thoughts we choose to think. How intimately you know us. How you have empowered us by your Holy Spirit. I praise and thank You. Amen and Amen, Lord. So be i