Catching bubbles, like taking our thoughts captive, is step 1. Step 2 is making your thoughts obedient to Christ. When you’re in that rut, like I found myself in the other day, it leaves you asking yourself, “How did I get here and how do I get out?”
I am grateful that Holy Spirit helped me to recognize and ask those questions. The amazing thing about the Spirit of God is that He invites you to partner with Him. It’s not always just about Him rescuing you, as if you’re a helpless victim. Because you’re not! I’m not! We are warriors! We have been trained, and we need to keep training.
The other day began fine, but as I sat down to do my homework for the Revelation Bible study, my first thought was, “I don’t get it.” Followed by, “This is hard!” Then the doubts and downward spiraling started: “I don’t get it. Why can’t I understand this? What’s wrong with me?” That’s when I stopped and prayed, “God, what’s going on? Why am I suddenly so anxious?” He revealed that an unrelated event was poking at my thoughts. Holy Spirit reminded me of Philippians 4:8 and I saw the words flash in my mind as He said to me,
Think on these things:
TRUE
HONEST
PURE
LOVELY
PRAISEWORTHY
Taking our thoughts captive – becoming aware that they’re trying to run away with us – is step # 1.
Step #2 is making your thoughts obedient to Christ. Joyce Meyer said, “You need to think about what you’re thinking about.” Graham Cooke said, “If your thoughts are taking you some place you don’t want to go, think another thought.”
Instead of continuing down the path of “What’s wrong with me?” and “Why can’t I get it?” I can remember God’s promises and recall that I am God’s chosen daughter, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, and He will fully satisfy every need I have. I can rebuke the lie of being defective and relish in the truth that I am precious to God.
We take our thoughts captive by bathing them in God’s truth and keeping them in His presence.
Today, if you find yourself going down a painful or stressful path in your mind, open the Word of God, reviewing your promise from Him, and think another thought.
