“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
(Isaiah 26:3 NIV)
I wasn’t planning to write today because I have several posts “in the cue” for this week. But while I was exercising I found myself thinking about (chewing on) about something that happened yesterday – something that I find myself wanting to argue about. I can’t actually change the situation – certainly not by arguing – so, instead I was just letting my mind run wild and waste time, energy, and focus. Again. And I was struggling with this same issue when I wrote a post on “Living Rent Free” about a week ago. Ugh.
This “take every thought captive” (2 Cor. 10:5) is a bit tough for me. I have lots of thoughts and taking EVERY thought captive is a definite growing practice. Maybe you find this tough, too. There are plenty of terrible tragedies or unjust situations right now to think about – things that, often, will pull us down in one way or another. But I don’t believe this angst is the “feast” of the abundant life that Jesus calls us to.
Instead, he says, “So be careful how you live; be mindful of your steps. Don’t run around like idiots as the rest of the world does. Instead, walk as the wise! Make the most of every living and breathing moment because these are evil times.” (Ephesians 5:15-16 VOICE) When we are careful in how we live – especially our thought life – we walk as the wise. When we are mindful of our steps – including our thoughts – we don’t have to be burdened by the cares of this world. When we make the most of every living and breathing moment – holding steadily to then faith and hope we have – we are participating in thwarting the plans of the enemy of our souls. When we fast from old thought patterns – when we cast our cares on our God who sustains us – we will then be able to feast on the firm confidence that we will not be shaken. We will have peace.
Fast from worry, feast on peace. Sounds like a good plan for Lent.
Sustaining God,
Thank you for offering us the Abundant Life in Christ and your Peace that passes understanding. Thank you for calling us by Holy Spirit back to a place of profound trust in you. Thank you for your faithfulness to us, even when we repeatedly turn from your perfect ways and your peace. Help us to allow you to take every one of our thoughts – EVERY thought – captive and release all anxiety into your hands. Guard our hearts and our minds, Christ Jesus, and help us think only on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Help us hold unswervingly to the hope and faith you have given us because you are faithful and will not let your children be shaken. In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen.
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23 NIV)
“We take every thought captive so that it is obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5 GW)
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 ESV)
“Cast your cares on the Lord
and he will sustain you;
he will never let
the righteous be shaken.” (Isaiah 55:22 NIV)
“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27 NIV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)