Shortly after I wrote my last blog post, I was reading a devotion and came across the well-known bible verse about taking every thought captive. I’m sure I’ve heard and read that verse many times before, however, this time it landed differently.
I think in the past I interpreted the verse to mean I should not allow certain thoughts to even come into my mind. But thoughts are funny things…most of them show up unbidden…some are often entirely unwanted.
This time, I had an “aha” moment. I think it’s nearly impossible to stop some thoughts from coming in, the key is to be a diligent guard. If the role of a guard is to maintain order and promote safety, I then have a duty to pay attention to the thoughts that show up. Some thoughts just won’t serve me well, and could even try to hurt me or others, especially if they are hostile and include judgement.
When those types of thoughts come, I want to be on guard and recognize them for what they are. Instead of attempting to banish the thought from even arriving (near impossible), I can name it for what it is and send it away. If I don’t do that, the thought could set up camp in my mind and invite others to join in, possibly creating a little gang of nasty thoughts to entice me to act in ways that aren’t aligned with who I aim, and claim, to be. No thanks.
Just as in anything worthwhile, guarding my thoughts takes awareness and practice and definitely worth the effort.
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