Take Your Thoughts Captive
Funny how a simple lunch date and conversation with a friend can open your eyes to something you hadn’t realized.
Thirteen years since Bonnie and I had been together. We lived at opposite ends of the county and the hour+ ride and our busy lives kept us apart. And yet, our friendship is one whether it’s 13 days or 13 years, we picked up right where we left off.
When Bonnie asked what writing projects I was working on, I started to describe my novel, War of Whispers. It’s coming out in a month or two, and as I described the plot and theme, Bonnie’s eyes lit up. She said, “that’s what you wrote about back in 2000!” It’s true, I’d written a nonfiction book, Held Captive by Futile Thoughts? And now, I’d written fiction with the same theme.
“Seems it’s become a life verse for me,” I said. But later, when I pondered the connection, I realized that 2 Corinthians 10:5 is a huge part of every Christian’s life. What we think about rules our time and actions. “As a man thinketh, so is he,” the psalmist said.
I’m passionate about healing in all its forms. But at the very foundation of healing is how we think and what we think. We’ve all heard stories where people diagnosed with cancer or some other disease start meditating, thinking positive thoughts, eating right, often with good results. The shift toward positive makes a huge difference.
The Bible’s wisdom simplifies it for us. It tells us to “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” That means to think about the things Christ tells us to think about and forget the other stuff. That is, forget how that checker in the grocery store mouthed off at you, or how your boss cut you down in front of others, or how your husband ignored something you said. Consciously tell yourself to let the offense go, let it fly into the air without landing on your brain, or your heart. Hurt can land in either place.
Taking thoughts captive is the best way to prevent disease. So … what offense or grudge can you let go of today to better improve your health?
Martha,
I enjoy your page and what you have to say. I wanted to let you know this post spoke to me in particular as I am becoming a writer and have a fiction and non fiction book on the one subject.
It is encouraging to see your thoughts and the scriptures you share.
Just wanted to let you know I appreciate you 😀
Laurel Ann