MOUNTAINS AND MOLEHILLS

Last week we had a play date with two little friends.  A boy Garrett's age and his sister a little younger than Isabelle came over for the afternoon.

After playing a good long while with boys in the boys' room and girls in the girls' room, they went outside in the backyard.

I was looking through the windows into the backyard making sure everyone was playing nicely.

Within seconds Isabelle leaned over and planted one on the little boy!  On the mouth!

I headed immediately to the back door.  By the time I get there, through the door I saw her do it again!

I asked her to come inside and wait for me in the living room.  Let her dread it a minute.

Well, I caught their mom before she came in the door, and had a talk with Isabelle.

I made a mountain of this mole hill!

That night my mind went crazy with every horrible thing that could come from this path over the next 20 years.  I covered everything from her relationship with her dad, to her relationship with God, to how it was all going to impact me.

God has been reminding me, and did again this night, that we are to bring "every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ," and we do this by "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God." (2 Cor. 10:5)

I knew this was not of God because "God has not given us a spirit of fear." (2 Tim. 1:7)

Paul reminds us "we do not war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds." (2 Cor. 3-4)

We are commanded against, because it is not good for us, entertaining fearful thoughts.  These thoughts manifest themselves in our motives, our words, our emotions, and our actions.

"But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death." (Jms. 1:14-15)

My desire is my life will be easy and free from pain.  I'm enticed by the illusion that I can control it into being that way and if I do it'll be better for everyone.


Instead, "be anxious for nothing...and the peace of God...will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6-7)

MEDITATE ON IT

What areas of your thought life have you not taken captive into obedience to Christ?

How does Satan use this area to entice you?  What lies do you believe?

How would surrendering your thought life to God impact your motives?  Words?  Emotions?  Actions?

PRAY ABOUT IT

Father, thank You for providing us with a guide to life, and an instruction on the best way to live.  Thank You for doing for us what we can not do for ourselves.  Forgive us when we allow our thoughts to control us, and give Satan a foothold into our lives and hearts.  Teach us to have self-control.  Teach us to see our thoughts as You see them, and to see spiritual warfare for what it is as well.  Change our hearts, so that out of them can be a well-spring of life.  Help us to depend on You more for this area of our lives, and to surrender to You more fully.


LIVE IN IT


"But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man." (Matthew 15:18)



"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)


"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8)