I suppose if PS’s Ponderings has had any impact at all it has been partly so because I seek to be transparent when I write. Sometimes it is a bit intimidating to be vulnerable, but I do trust the working of the Holy Spirit when I remember that when we are weak — He is strong. So, full transparency here today… I have been discouraged this week.
While I would never pretend that discouragement doesn’t visit me, it is true that I tend to shake it pretty quickly… so… a day here… a day there… but on the whole I tend to be an optimistic person. The glass is half full for me… usually. But this week, I have been parked in discouragement.
Now, there are reasons why… but that is not the purpose for this ponderings. All of the “reasons” are really out of my control, and therein lies the reality for the parking brake being applied. I have had a difficult time this week turning off the tumbling thoughts in my mind, even as I recognize that I am essentially powerless to affect any real change in the circumstances.
Today (Thursday), I have recognized that I truly have been my own source of discouragement. It hasn’t been the challenges that seem to be mountainous, but instead, where I have chosen to allow my mind to dwell.
The Apostle Paul wrote… For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV
Today I have realized that I have failed to “take captive every thought” and I have ignored the powerful arsenal of weapons the Holy Spirit has placed at my disposal. I have pondered when I should have prayed. I have worried when I should have sought scripture. I have wallowed in isolation when I should have sought Christian community. “Dear Lord Jesus, forgive my lack of faith that led me to discouragement.”
In his letter to the Church in Philippi, Paul wrote, And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 NLT
Believe me, I recognize that faith is a process and I am grateful for a deepening of my faith this week as I have made the choice to “take captive every thought” and to “think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise”.
Let me encourage you… if you are experiencing discouragement in some area of your life refuse to let your thoughts take you captive… instead take them captive. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Remember to use the weapons of prayer, God’s word and Christian relationships. Seek God and embrace His promises as you give over your worries to the Holy Spirit within you. For where the Spirit of the Lord is… there is peace.
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