Do your thoughts ever run wild on you? Seeming like a charging herd of buffalo running wildly across a prairie range? Nothing is going to stop them?
Surely, I am not the only one in whom this activity of stomping through my mind takes place. The powerful storm in the realm of our thoughts must be a common event since Scripture addresses it by the Apostle Paul as he admonishes the Corinthian church. As he does spiritual battle on behalf of the people of Corinth, he details that he is taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
In Phillipians, Paul again discusses 'mind control' by encouraging the residents of Phillipi to think true, just, lovely, valuble thougths when their hearts and minds are suffering anxiety.
How does this help us, you and me today, when our thoughts run amuk?
First, let's look at the anxious thinking 'cure'. Anxiety is a major issue for a vast number of us. Our thougths take us down roads that do not build us up at all. We imagine scenarios of all sorts and get even more anxious as we consider the end result of those made up scenes in our minds. We let fear ravage us. We let our minds conquer our spirits.
But, what does Paul command us to do? Practice this as I have taught you, he writes. First, give thanks IN everything. Commit your mind to knowing God is sovereign, give thanks for that truth, give thanks for His knowledge of every situation you are enduring. With this thankfulness for his care, make requests to him. Peace truly does come when you sit inside a situation fully accepting God's faithfulness in it. Then, concentrate on a particular type of thinking - the list is easy - think on things that are lovely, true, pure, honorable, right, of excellence, great value, and worthy of praise. Practice this kind of thinking, let it override the anxious thoughts, and peace will truly shroud your mind and heart.
The other mindset Paul mentions as he wages war in matters of faith is to actually take thoughts captive. It is how he mininstered for and to the saints in the New Testament Church. What does this mean, though?
I studied the word 'captive'. Its roots are Latin in foundation from 'captivus', meaning 'taken' or 'captus', meaning to take. By definition, as an adjective, it means made or held prisoner, held prisoner in restraint, and dominated. These words all create an ambience of power exerted over something else. The imagery created in the mind seems to be battle, war, good vs. evil, fighting, a definite power struggle.
So, taking thoughts captive seems to take some concerted effort on our part. As I think on this, the word 'warrior' comes to mind. I believe the best way to approach this idea is to consider myself a warrior, doing strong battle against any thought that takes me down wrong roads.
A precious friend always asks me, "Did you do the litmus test on that thought? Does it build up or tear down in your life?"
Right there is a good guage to let me know when I need to enter into battle for my mind's direction. Approaching one's thinking as a warrior, taking the thoughts as prisoners restrained by self control, by redirection to truth, loveliness, purity, honor, goodness, is all work needing to be done, and effort that will bring results that bring peace to us and glory to God. The action can be as simple as praising God, thanking him that He knows just what you are experiencing, thanking him for everything you can think of to give thanks for at that moment, and even just thinking on the wonderful love of Jesus.
Be a warrior. When your mind begins the rollercoaster of madness, speak to yourself about being a mighty soldier, fighting a worthy battle for healthy thinking, peace, and calm. Each of those is worth the work. Your serenity is worth doing the work of the warrior for your mind's control. Take thoughts captive, Warrior. I'm cheering you on from the sidelines.
No comments:
Post a Comment