2 Corinthians 10:5We 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.
Time to be honest...
Annoyed ...that I am sick again..
....that I let September totally get out of control. ( I still don't know how to say NO...even when I don't feel good-LORD help me...HELP myself and stand up for myself! )
....that stuff is happening at work that could truly affect the lives of people I dearly love (as well as myself) this week!
...mad at myself that I pushed myself to go to choir last Sunday, when I felt horrible, had a fever and then I missed my dear friends 50th birthday party- that makes me very sad...( I love you Wayne-O...please forgive me for missing your party! Doc did say I was really contagious that day...if that makes it any better...Sorry choir people if you get sick :(
...annoyed that when I am sick, all I want is McDonalds french fries (with their secret sugar/salt recipe)... :)
...annoyed that I've gain weight over the summer...DUH! who does that! ? ...sad that I missed going to a conference and hanging with a dear friend (that was a highlight of my month :)...annoyed that I missed seeing my friend and her new baby who was in town from Vegas..
and sad that I might not be able to sing for LifeShare Monday...the list can go on...
For me, when I don't feel good...everything is heightened...but mostly for me...my annoyance factor or intolernace factor is heightened...it seems as though you are barely living on that "LAST NERVE SYNDROME"...(*please tell me you relate to some of this...haha)-again...probably why I retreat when I don't feel good...
Things that would not normally bother me...begin to bother me...BIG TIME!...for example...on Friday, (like normal) the crossing guard in my sub division, jumps out in front of my car while the LIGHT IS STILL GREEN-with or without kids crossing the street, flashing her STOP sign at me, with this stone face (I think if she smiled her face would truly break)...normally I wave, smile and even pray for her....But on Friday...why did my foot want to hit the gas peddle ?? (don't worry it didn't...but boy, oh boy...) or every driver on the road is initially driving crazy just to annoy YOU...(see how the paranoia starts?... FOR REAL ?-those people could care less about annoying me or you...however you feel inside like they do...crazy how we think...)
You see how quickly that happens, things begin to snowball in our minds...especially when you don't feel good. THAT is the time we (or at least I) need to give our thoughts over to God...or it's like quick sand...
The verse above ?...take captive every thought...I used to think that applied to really, really "bad" thoughts...oh come on...you know what I mean...lust, adulterous thoughts, coveting, greed, stealing, murder-okay the crossing guard came close in those thoughts...but not annoyance... but really...that is one of the biggest ones...this is where satan gets us ya know ?.... when we are down, having a pity party, exhausted, overwhelmed, think you are depressed, have a cold, bronchitis, whatever it is...it's when our "old nature" rears it's ugly head....and if you listen carefully...you just might hear satan giggling at us...
At these seasons, that is when we need to be in the Bible...and to know it. I am not good at memorizing...I try ...but there are some books I highly recommend...when you are fighting negative thoughts...that allows me to speak out His truth over my little annoyances...sometimes for me...if a verse does not come to mind...I just say His NAME...JESUS..!
Below are 2 that I recommend when you are in the heat of the battle of your thoughts..
The Secret Power of speaking God' Word-Joyce Meyer
Praying God's Word-Beth Moore
The next 2 are books to prepare yourself, to start & form new habits, when you start to think negatively...
Your Best LIfe Now-Joel Osteen
BattleField of the Mind-Joyce Meyer
Breaking Free-Beth Moore
God's Eye View-Tommy Tenney ...the BIBLE...
I am reminded of Ed Horn's testimony. He never complained or said anything negative while through out his suffering.Wow, I want to be like that. God Thank you for Ed and his testimony.
"May the mind of Christ, my Savior, live in me from day to day. By His love and power controlling all I do and say. May the word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour. So that all may see I triumph only through His pow'r. May the peace of God my Father rule my life in ev'rything. That I may be calm to comfort, sick and sorrowing. "
Kate B. Wilkinson (1859-1928)
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5, KJV).
Colossians 3:16 'Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly."
Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God…will guard your hearts and your minds"
Philippians 4:8 "And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."
I'm giving you my dreams, I'm laying down my rights...I surrender all to YOU, all to YOU-Lincoln Brewster
Take Captive EVERY THOUGHT to make it obedient to Christ...yes, even those thoughts !
