July 13, 2008

• Every Thought Captive

  I’ve been reciting II Cor. 10:5 to myself a lot over the past few days. It’s been one of my favorite verses (my second favorite, actually, right behind Psalm 139:5) for a long time, but I guess you could say I’m really “feeling it” lately. Or maybe it’s that I’m “needing it” in great measure…either way, I’m hearing it a lot in my head and that’s a good thing.

  I had a conversation with a very good friend a couple of days ago that confirmed some things God has been speaking to my heart over the past week. I’ve been working at implementing these things into my heart, attitudes, words, and actions. It’s still a bit of a challenge in moments, but I’m givin’ ‘er all she’s got and will keep on plugging by God’s grace and with His help (at times a lot of it).

  Another friend sent me something via email that also confirmed some of the same lessons, and added that mothers set the tone for their families in many ways. I knew that, but I think I needed to hear it again, just as a reminder that my children are watching how I react and respond to things that are happening to us. They are watching me respond to people and to situations, to treatment of our family both good and bad. Their attitudes at times directly reflect mine, so obviously I am being very careful–and very prayerful–about my responses. I am asking God to guide my heart and my words very closely. As a result I’m not talking very much about how I’m feeling, and what I am saying is said with constant purposefulness toward a positive bent.

  It isn’t like I don’t still have feelings of pain and injustice deep down, but I’m working hard at giving those over to the Lord without letting them spill over onto others. One of the friends with whom I spoke a couple of days ago said something that I’ve been pondering pretty deeply. He mentioned Philippians 3 where it talks about “knowing” Christ, the Greek word for “knowing” being one implying deep intimacy. It also talks about sharing in the sufferings of Christ. My friend said he had asked himself when, in his lifetime, had he shared in the sufferings of Christ, not having been beaten, or spat on, or scourged, or crucified. Then he had a time in his life when he was brought face to face with some of the sufferings of Christ, and when it happened he felt the force of that Scripture as never before. I think that is what I’m feeling acutely right now. My prayer is that with His help, I will honor Him in my response.

  • 9:07 am
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